Lagos

Understand

With an estimated population of 8.8 million inhabitants in the city, or 16 million in the metropolitan area, Lagos ranks as the most populous city in Africa, after overtaking Cairo. Also known as Èkó in the Yoruba language, and affectionately called 'Lag', 'Gidi' or 'Las Gidi' as a form of slang-by the younger generation, it is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria.

Formerly the capital of Nigeria, Lagos is a huge metropolis which originated on islands separated by creeks. The city is the economic and financial capital of Nigeria. Portuguese explorer Rui de Sequeira visited the area in 1472, naming the area around the city Lago de Curamo; indeed the present name is Portuguese for "lakes". Another explanation is that Lagos was named for Lagos, Portugal — a maritime town which at the time was the main centre of the Portuguese expeditions down the African coast and whose own name is derived from the Latin word Lacobriga. From 1404 to 1889 it served as a major centre of the slave trade, ruled over by a Yoruba chief called the Oba of Lagos. Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from 1914 up to 1991. The city was stripped of its status when the Federal Capital Territory was established at the purpose-built city of Abuja. The city of Lagos lies in south-western Nigeria, on the Atlantic coast in the Gulf of Guinea, west of the Niger River delta. Most of the population live on the mainland, and most industries are located there too. Lagos is known for its music and night life which used to be in areas around Yaba and Surulere, but more night clubs have sprung on the island making the island especially Victoria Island, the main nightlife attraction.

Climate

The wet season is overcast in Lagos, the dry season is sometimes cloudy, and it is very hot and oppressive year round. The average temperature in Lagos is 26.7 °C | 80.0 °F. Approximately 1783 mm | 70.2 inch of rainfall occurs on a yearly basis.

Getting there

By plane 1 Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS IATA). You can fly in from most European cities (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Paris); from Abu Dhabi, Addis Ababa, Beirut, Cairo, Casablanca, Doha, Douala, Dubai, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Kigali, Libreville, Luanda, Malabo, Nairobi, and Sharjah. There are also direct flights from the United States (Atlanta and New York City) with Delta Airlines. There are also flights to Lagos from most major cities in West Africa. Lagos is close (about 100 km) to the border with Benin. Should you fly out of the International Airport in Lagos, arrive early, especially close to weekends and festive days, as the security has been beefed up significantly (you need to have your passport and ticket to enter the airport departure area) since the December 2009 liquid explosive incident where the terrorist started his journey from Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Arrivals For foreigners, the immigration process can be tedious and slow as there are two immigration officials at each desk (presumably to reduce corruption). Nigerians and the West African (ECOWAS) passport holders receive first priority. Families with young children and disabled people are normally also given priority. When filling in the arrival card for immigration you must have an address in Nigeria and a Nigerian contact number - they have been known to call this number to verify that you are expected. After immigration you collect your bag at one of the baggage conveyors; check beside the start of the conveyor if you have fragile or oversized baggage. If you are travelling with a multi-national corporation, you will often be met by the "Protocol Officers" in the luggage collection hall. These agents will ensure you meet with the official company drivers and get safe passage out of the airport. After collecting your luggage you pass customs and agricultural inspections and there is a pretty good chance your bag will be searched for the usual contraband. Then a health inspector will check your yellow fever card. This has been a soft spot for many travelers as there must be ten days between inoculation and travel and the officials denied entry to passengers (i.e. put back on the next plane out). Finally, you must have your luggage tag from check-in as security will not allow you to leave the airport without producing this tag that corresponds to each bag. Do not leave the airport if you have not made contact with your driver or pick-up as you are not allowed back into the airport after exiting.

Departures Many international flights leave in

Getting around

If traveling around Lagos, be sure to be accompanied by a tourist guide who is familiar with the routes. In Lagos, there are street signs on every single street corner making it easy to locate places and landmarks. With the city spending huge budgets on security, there has been a huge reduction in crime generally. For the most part, it's safe to move about during the day. If you are going out at night, be sure to go in groups, and stick to known routes. If you are not on a tight budget, you should hire a car and driver, usually available from most of the major hotels and the airport. The price will be around ₦1,000-2,000 per hour, you will be expected to haggle. Talk to the drivers and find one you think will be able to communicate best with as they will be able to tell you things about the places you pass.

By bus Lagos's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines run in segregated lanes and thus run faster than private cars stuck in traffic. The buses are coloured red or blue. The BRT is one of the three-pronged attacks the state has unleashed against the urban traffic congestion in Lagos. Buses can be an inexpensive and convenient option. Bus fares are relatively affordable and there are numerous routes being plied from the Mainland to the Islands. The tickets for the BRT and the Lagbus can be purchased at the bus stops before boarding. Tickets range from ₦100-250 (2016). However, the ticket vendors are seldom available in the evening even though the buses ply till late at night. It makes good sense to purchase a ticket booklet or a couple of tickets in bulk beforehand since these don't contain a timestamp. There are also smaller yellow buses (Danfo) that ply all routes from the mainland to the island and within mainland. For a newbie, the yellow bus system can be quite confusing and it makes good sense to approach a local for help. The local Nigerians will be more than happy to help an Oyinbo (white person). The fare is fixed and starts from ₦50 and increases by distance. The BRT buses are faster, cleaner and more convenient. They carry hundreds of thousands of passengers on a weekly basis.

By car The road network of Lagos for the most part is good, but sometimes traffic congestion and limited parking space especially during working hours is rife. Be sure to be on the lookout for road signs, in order to avoid entering one-way roads or streets. LASTMA (Lagos State Traffic Management Agency) is the body responsible for managing traffic in most of the traffic congestion areas. Make sure to follow traffic rules, and avoid driving in the BRT Bus lanes to avoid ge

See

It is said that Lagos is for tourists like England is for food — bland and boring. It's a stereotype and not really true, but you have to put the effort in to see Lagos. There are also lots of markets to see, although doing so can be very tiring. They are usually safe during the day. There are several parks in Lagos where visitors can enjoy some greenery and nature. Some of them are ticketed while most are free to enter, especially those built by the Lagos State Government.

Freedom Park Lekki Conservation Centre Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) Park Muri Okunola Park Ndubuisi Kanu Park Kernel Street Recreational Park Dr Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih Recreational Park Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park UBA Foundation Park Funplex Garden (Park and Rides), Shangisha LUFASI Nature Park is an urban forest park on 20 hectares of land along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. The nature park comprises of a relaxation centre for adults, a play park and a football pitch for the young ones or young adults. Apapa Amusement Park Rafiu Jafojo Park Shitta Roundabout Park Fun Factory Dolphin Estate Park Olutunda Park TOB FUNLAND Olopomeji Park Apongbon Bridge Park

Do

Beaches There are over a dozen beaches in Lagos (Lekki, Alpha, Eleko, Akodo beaches to the east, and Tarkwa Bay, Ogogoro Island, Atlas Cove, Lighthouse beach, Ilashe Beach, Agaja Beach and Badagry beach to the west), making for a wide array to choose from. More beaches are found outside the city, in places like Badagry. Good for picnics and barbecues. Inside the city, Lekki is about as good as it gets.

Landmark Beach Oniru Private Beach Takwa Bay Elegushi Beach Eleko Beach Atican Beach Suntan Beach, Badagry

Buy

Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. When you are stuck in traffic, expect to see hawkers selling anything from potatoes to drinks. Expect any brand names in these informal markets to be fake, and should you wish to purchase them aim for a very low price. If you hold a Visa, MasterCard or Maestro credit/debit card you can withdraw cash in Naira from various ATMs around Lagos. Visa machines can be found at Standard Chartered Bank. MasterCard/Maestro machines are found in Ecobank and some Zenith Bank branches. Foreign currency, U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euros can be exchanged in various places, usually near large hotels and the airport. These are not formal bureaux de change and you will need to negotiate the exchange rate. It is strongly recommended that you count your money in front of the exchanger, and don't be afraid to walk away if you are not happy with the deal. Be wary of your safety in money changing areas, and take care to make sure you are not followed when leaving them. There are formal bureaux de change in the various banks, and you can rest assured about transacting with them, although their rates may be slightly higher or lower than the rates outside. Some of the good places for shopping are the City Mall and the Lekki Art Market.

Eat

There are several restaurants in Lagos. The restaurants are of several types. Sherlaton has outlets in two places. One in the mainland (Hotel Newcastle, Antony Village) and another in VI (Hotel Cumberland, Adeola Odeku St)

Budget Mr Bigg's. The ubiquitous Mr Bigg's is Nigeria's version of McDonald's. While western fare such as hamburgers is served, Nigerian delicacies such as jollof rice and moin moin are more popular. Look for the big 'B' with a red and yellow colour scheme - you shouldn't have much trouble finding one in Lagos Tantalizers. Another leading Nigerian fast food chain, Tantalizers serves Nigerian fast food staples such as meat pies, scotch eggs, chicken, jollof rice, fried rice, cake, and hamburgers. Has about 25 outlets in Lagos. (updated May 2022)

Drink & nightlife

You can always find amazing places to chill with friends and family in Lagos, and these drinking spots are affordable.

Sleep

Lagos has a lot of great hotels and many more are being built. There are many 4 star hotels for the price of a 3 star hotel. For visitors, try to get a hotel on Victoria Island as a lot of the tourist attractions are on the Victoria Island.

Budget Beni Apartments Sunheaven Hotel and Resorts The Sanzak Place Virginrose Resorts De Rigg Place, Victoria Island Casa Del Amor - Victoria Island Villa Angelia Victoria Island BWC Hotel Indigo Bar, Restaurant and Hotel Annes Luxury Suite

Mid-range The Blowfish Hotel The Avenue Suites Maison Fahrenheit Morning Side Suites The Landmark Hotel And Beach Resort Black Diamond Hotel Chesney Hotels Lala’s Boutique Hotel Cumberland Hotel The Cate House

Splurge The Wheatbaker, owned by Legacy Hotels and Resorts, a South African hospitality chain, is on Lagos Island. Eko Hotels and Suites Marriott Ikeja Raddission Blu, Ikeja Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja Four Points by Sheraton, Lekki Lagos Oriental Hotels, Lekki The Lagos Continental Hotel (Formerly Intercontinental Lagos Hotel) The Federal Palace Hotel The Art Hotel Protea Hotel Kuramo Waters Seattle Residences and Spa

Go next

The ancient slave port of Badagry - also known as the 'Point of No Return'. This ancient town of Badagry was founded around 1425. Before its existence, people lived along the Coast of Gberefu and this area later gave birth to the town of Badagry. It is the second largest commercial town in Lagos State. It is an hour from Lagos and a half-hour from the Republic of Benin. Tarkwa Bay on the southern coast Go to the numerous towns in South East Nigeria Ile Ife