Lagos - City of Nigeria

Lagos is the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. It is currently the second most populous city in Africa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa,immediately following Bamako. Formerly the capital of Nigeria, Lagos is a huge metropolis which originated on islands separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, that fringe the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon, protected from the Atlantic Ocean by long sand spits such as Bar Beach which stretch up to 100 km east and west of the mouth. From the beginning, Lagos has spread on the mainland west of the lagoon and the conurbation, including Ikeja and Agege, now reaches more than 40 km north-west of Lagos Island. The city is the economic and financial capital of Nigeria.

Lagos was a Yoruba settlement of Awori people initially called Oko. The name was later changed to Eko or Eko during the Kingdom of Benin occupation. The Yoruba still use the name Eko when they speak of 'Lagos', a name which never existed in Yoruba language. It is likely that the name 'Lagos' was given to the town by the first Portuguese settlers who navigated from a coastal town of the same name in Portugal. The present day Lagos state has a higher percent of Awori, who migrated to the area from Isheri along the Ogun river. Throughout history, it was home to a number of warring ethnic groups who had settled in the area. During its early settlement, it also saw periods of rule by the Kingdom of Benin.

Lagos experienced rapid growth throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a result of Nigeria's economic boom prior to the Biafran War.

Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from 1914 up to 1991; it was stripped of this title when the Federal Capital Territory was established at the purpose-built city of Abuja. However, most government functions stayed in Lagos for a time since Abuja was still under construction. In 1991, the head of state and other government functions were finally relocated to the Capital city Abuja

In 2002, an accidental detonation of military explosives caused the death of more than 1100 people.

The climate in Lagos is similar to that of the rest of southern Nigeria. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November. There is a brief relatively dry spell in August and September and a longer dry season from December to March. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages over 300 mm, while in August and September it is down to 75 mm and in January as low as 35 mm. The main dry season is accompanied by harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert, which between December and early February can be quite strong.

Lagos is not a popular tourist destination, a fact which the current administration of Gov. Raji Fashola intends to change. The 2009 Eyo carnival which took place on the 25th April, was a step in the right direction. Currently, Lagos is primarily known as a business-oriented and a fast paced community. Lagos is blessed with a number of sandy beaches by the Atlantic Ocean. Two of the popular beaches include Bar Beach and Lekki Beach.

Lagos has a variety of hotels ranging from three star to five star hotels. Some of the popular hotels include Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Federal Palace Hotel, Ikoyi Hotel, Sofitel Lagos Moorhouse Ikoyi, Eko Hotels And Suites and The Palmview Manor.

Visitors are mostly attracted to Nigeria's rich culture, entertainment scenes and vitality which Lagos city offers. Tourist attractions include Oba's Palace, the National Museum, Shrine of Fela and the beach resorts.

The Lagos State Government operates state schools.The education system is the 6-3-3-4 system, which is practised throughout the country . The levels are Primary, Junior Secondary School, Senior Secondary School, and university. All children are offered basic education, with special focus on the first six years.

Lagos is home to several secondary schools, universities and other vocational institutions that are either operated by the government or private entities. Some examples are listed below.

Indian Language School
British International School
Dowen College, LEkki
Lekki British International High School
GreenSprings School,anthony CAMPUS.
GreenSprings School,LEKKI CAMPUS.
Grange School,Ikeja
Baptist Academy was established by the Baptist Churches in 1875?, Obanikoro, Ikorodu Road.
International School Lagos, Unilag, Akoka.
Grace High School, Gbagada.
Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja
Government College Ketu-Epe
Ikorodu High School, Ikorodu
Methodist Boy High School Lagos Island Lagos
Lycee Louis Pasteur Victoria Island Lagos
Aunty Ayo Girls Comprehensive Secondary School.Located at Keffi, Ikoyi

The Pan-African University is primarily a business school, offering two MBA programmes. Founded in 1996 and awarded University status in 2002, it consists of the Lagos Business School and of Enterprise Development Services. The University also places some emphasis on the study of art.
The University of Lagos is a large institution dating from 1962, with over 35,000 students. It comprises 13 faculties, run by over 4,000 staff.
Lagos State University is a multi-campus university established in 1984 and owned by the Lagos State government. The main campus is located at Ojoo, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.