Lagos

Lore & Background

Lagos emerged as a home to the Awori people, a subgroup of the Yoruba, in the 15th century. They settled on a farmstead along the coastal line, which in Yoruba is called Ereko, from which the indigenous name Eko derives. The city was likely named after Lagos, Portugal, the main centre of Portuguese maritime expeditions down the African coast in the 15th century.

Reader's Guide

It serves as the leading financial centre of West and Central Africa, hosting the headquarters of major banks like Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, and Zenith Bank, as well as the Nigerian Exchange Group. The city handles 88% of Nigeria's exports through its three ports and is well connected by international airport, expressways, and a standard-gauge rail link. Lagos is also a cultural hub, being the centre of Nigerian cinema (Nollywood) and a hotspot for Afrobeats music, with international stars recording albums there. It houses four public universities, six private universities, and numerous scientific and cultural institutions. The Dangote Refinery, once expanded, will be the world's largest oil refinery and is the city's largest employer. Lagos's rapid growth and economic importance make it a key driver of Nigeria's and West Africa's development.

Did You Know?

• Lagos is derived from the Portuguese word for 'lakes'.
• The city handles 88% of Nigeria’s exports.
• Five out of seven African high-tech startups valued above US$1 billion are located in Lagos.