12 Interesting And Fun Facts About Lagos

In this article, we make a list of fun and interesting facts about Lagos, one of the 36 states in Nigeria, the fastest growing city in Africa, and one of the fastest-growing cities globally. Lagos was formerly the Federal Capital of Nigeria. It was once called Eko by the early settlers before the name Lagos was given to it by a Portuguese seafarer. Lagos means lakes in Portuguese. Today, Lagos is still popularly called “Eko” alongside its other pet names such as “Lasgidi” or “Lag” for short.

It is a known fact that Lagos is a city that is home to people from different walks of life; tribes, religion, culture, and languages. Whether you are on a visit or a permanent resident, Lagos will warmly accommodate you. To read more about Lagos, please click here.

Africa’s Entertainment Headquarter

Lagos is known as the headquarter of entertainment in Africa, housing famous Nigerian actors, musicians, and comedians. Most of the record labels for international stars of Nigerian origin are located in Lagos. If you got some skills like singing, acting, dancing, stand-up comedy, Lagos is the right place to birth your dreams because you are sure of having access to the right network and resources.

Highest Population But The Smallest State in Nigeria

Another fact about Lagos is that it is the smallest state in Nigeria based on landmass but with its highest number of residents.

Tallest Building in Nigeria and West Africa

Lagos state houses the tallest building in Nigeria, the NECOM house towers, which is 160m higher than the city.

Longest Bridge in Nigeria and Second in Africa

Facts about Lagos is incomplete without mentioning the Third Mainland Bridge. The Third Mainland Bridge, also known as Ibrahim Babangida Bridge, is the longest in Nigeria. It connects Lagos Island to the mainland, with a distance spanning 11.8km in length. This Lagos bridge was the longest in Africa until 1996, when the current longest bridge in Africa was constructed in Cairo, and it is called the 6th October Bridge.

Economic Hub And Home To Many Millionaires

Lagos is the centre for all kinds of business activities. It isn’t surprising that it has the highest number of millionaires in Nigeria and third in Africa, with Johannesburg and Cairo taking the lead. Even with the high level of wealth and success, there’s also a certain level of poverty in the city, but it isn’t the highest in the country. Attributed to this level of wealth and prosperity is industrial enterprises’ presence, in which Lagos houses half of the total numbers in Nigeria. There’s also a huge market available for buyers and sellers.

Home To Makoko – The Floating City

In Makoko, Lagos floating city, people live on water and carry out all daily and business activities there. They travel through the city using waterways. This is unique to Lagos state only; you can’t find this anywhere else in Nigeria.

Place of Fun Fare, Party, And Relaxation

It is pleasing to note that Lagos is home to businesses and hard work; it is also home for relaxation and parties. Lagos is known to have a function every weekend. Locally, these parties are popularly called “owambe”. Lagos is fun-filled, and should you want a quiet and serene place to rest your head? Beautiful beaches to resorts, conservation centres, golf clubs, and world-class restaurants abound across Lagos. Even if all you wanted is local food, music, or art gallery? You can have it all in Lagos.

Earliest And Largest Nigerian Seaport

The Lagos seaport is one of the top ten seaports in Africa and also the earliest and the largest seaport in Nigeria. The seaport processes about 80% of all imported goods into Nigeria and 70% of goods exported. The Lagos seaport is ranked as the fifth busiest seaport in West Africa.

Home of Street Food

On the streets of Lagos, you are sure of not going hungry because, at every turn, you are certain to get access to different foods ranging from snacks, cooked food, finger food, assorted meat, fruits, local drinks like Zobo, Kunu, etc. No matter what you are looking out to eat in Lagos, you will find it. From local dishes to intercontinental dishes, Lagos got you covered.

Go-Slow!

One of the interesting facts about Lagos is that you cannot escape traffic in this city! Although you can get access to some places via water transportation. As far as you are commuting by land, be prepared for traffic. In Lagos, we call it Go-Slow! Amid the fun and sightseeing, make room for traffic congestion which may sometimes last for hours.

Home To Different Religions

Lagos is religion tolerant. In Lagos, you will find different religious practitioners, but the predominant religions in Lagos state are Christianity and Islam. They all coexist peacefully.

Lagos Doesn’t Sleep

Once you visit Lagos, you will find that the Lagos you know during the day is not the same at night. Why? There’s always a switch between being hard workers during the day and fun lovers at night. But one thing is constant, Lagos roads are always busy as Lagos does not sleep!

In Brief, Below Are Facts About Lagos, Nigeria:

• Lagos is Africa’s seat of entertainment
• Lagos State has the Highest Nigerian population, but it is the smallest state in Nigeria
• The tallest building in Nigeria and West Africa is in Lagos
• The Longest bridge in Nigeria and the second in Africa is the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
• Lagos is an economic hub and home to many millionaires
• Makoko – Nigeria’s floating city is in Lagos
• Lagos is Nigeria’s Owanbe hotspot
• The earliest and the largest Nigerian seaport is located in Lagos
• Lagos is Nigeria’s ‘Go-slow’ epicentre
• Lagos is home to different religions
• Lagos Does not sleep

Final Word On Facts About Lagos

In this article, we have looked at 12 fun and exciting facts about Lagos. Interesting facts about famous structures, geography, popular street food, traffic, religious tolerance, and the ever-busy nature of the city has been highlighted in this blog post. In summary, you need to visit Lagos state in Nigeria, as it’s better experienced than told. Good enough, most Lagosians are fun-loving, accommodating, and kind. Eko oni baje!