#43: The three sides of Lagos, Nigeria
Have you ever been to Lagos in Nigeria? If not, what do you imagine the place is like?
Too much dust ... too much traffic ... poverty ... houses on stilts or shacks?
You guessed right.
But that’s not the entirety of Lagos. And the above descriptions would fit parts of any other city in the world, too, especially the ones experiencing rapid urbanisation. Even developed cities still have some or all of these elements (they’re probably just good at hiding them).
Today, let’s look at the different neighborhoods in Lagos:
The poor
The rich and ultra-rich
And the one which probably many of us don’t see much about: the middle class.
1. The poor
Makoko is a popular neighborhood in Lagos, so much so that there are plenty of vlogs, and documentaries about it. And you can book a private tour (for almost $200 per person on Tripadvisor) to see the living conditions of the people. It begs the question: “Are the people living there benefitting from these tours?”
One article says no.
The Makoko tour that turns our poverty into profit
“As an individual who was born and raised in the community and has dedicated my life to its betterment, this breaks my heart. The government’s neglect has only exacerbated the situation, with its interventions focused on recognizing and increasing chieftaincy titles of community leaders instead of tackling the systemic problems that have kept Makoko in the shadows for decades.” — Emmanuel Abiodun Oke
In just the last month, news articles have come out about demolitions that took place in Lagos:
Residents lament as Lagos demolishes ‘illegal’ structures in Ikorodu
Lagos Govt begins demolition of unapproved buildings as amnesty period ends
Lagos to demolish shanties, illegal structures serving as criminal hideouts
The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mr Gbolahan Oki, disclosed in a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Adu Ademuyiwa, on Wednesday.
According to Oki, the government aims to improve the area’s overall appearance and functionality.
He said that the removal of illegal structures was a step toward planned and sustainable growth.
2. The rich and ultra-rich
Luxury Estates in Lagos Where Billionaires Live
Lagos, once the capital of Nigeria, is known for its fancy neighborhoods that attract very rich people. As one of Africa’s richest cities, it is no surprise that Lagos is a hub for expensive homes.
Here are five of the most exclusive estates in Lagos.
The richest city in west Africa - 4,200 millionaires and 2 billionaires
Nearly half of Nigeria's wealthiest live in Lagos, as the country itself has 8,200 millionaires and three billionaires, making it Africa's third wealthiest country, behind South Africa and Egypt. However, in the decade from 2013 to 2023, Lagos' millionaire population shrank by 48%, the biggest drop seen among all the top 20 cities on the list.
If you’re looking to acquire a luxury property in Lagos, you might want to check out this tour Inside Lagos Most Luxurious Neighbourhoods
3. The middle class
Where Do the Middle Class Live in Lagos?
The middle class in Lagos, Nigeria, is a significant and growing demographic, and their residential choices reflect a diverse range of factors including affordability, access to amenities, and lifestyle preferences. Ikeja stands out as a prime location for the middle class in Lagos.
A nation betrayed: How Nigeria’s policies are eroding the middle class
The Nigerian middle class, once the vibrant engine driving economic progress and societal stability, now finds itself gasping for breath in the suffocating grip of a relentless cost-of-living crisis. This burgeoning crisis is not merely a financial strain; it’s a relentless assault on dreams, aspirations, and the very fabric of the middle class.
Finally, below is a 26-minute interview with the CEO of one of the real estate companies in Nigeria, discussing the housing market in Nigeria.
Lagos has been going through gentrification, just like any other developed city. And as such, its metamorphosis involves some extremely unpleasant stages. With all things considered, one thing is clear: Lagos is moving forward, fast.
Other interesting reads:
Fixing Lagos’ Homelessness Crisis – By Doyin Olagunju
The Gentrification of Nigeria: The Detty December Chronicles
Top Lagos Slums and Lagos Rich Areas
The map below was created a couple years ago and lists 22 neighborhoods in Lagos. Four of them are slum areas, 10 areas have poor to middle-class communities, and eight were named as places for the affluent and wealthy.
Click on the image below to see the map, and links to these neighborhoods.
