Lagos State in the context of "Lagos Island"

Lagos (/ˈleɪɡɒs/ LAY-goss; Yoruba: Èkó [èkó]), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. As of November 2025, the size of the city's population has been estimated to stand between 17 and 21 million residents, making Lagos the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until the government's December 1991 decision to relocate its capital to Abuja, in the centre of the country. Apart from serving as a major African financial center, Lagos has also played a significant role in the national economy, serving as the economic hub of Lagos State and the entire country of Nigeria. The city has a significant influence on commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion in Africa. Lagos is also among the top ten of the world's fastest-growing cities and urban areas. A megacity, it has the second-highest GDP in Africa, and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. Due to the large urban population and port traffic volumes, Lagos is classified as a Medium-Port Megacity.

Lagos emerged as a home to the Awori people, an Ijebu subgroup of the Yoruba of West Africa, in the 15th century, which is contained across the present-day Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin, and Apapa. Before the 15th century, the Awori settled on a farmstead along the coastal line, in and around which they worked and lived. Farmstead translates to Ereko in Yoruba, from which comes the Lagos indigenous name Eko. The lands are separated by creeks, fringing the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon, while being protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and long sand spits such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to 100 km (62 mi) east and west of the mouth. Due to rapid urbanisation, the city expanded to the west of the lagoon to include areas in the present-day Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Surulere. This led to the classification of Lagos into two main areas: the Island, which was the original city of Lagos, and the Mainland, which it has since expanded into. This city area was governed directly by the Federal Government through the Lagos City Council until the creation of Lagos State in 1967, which led to the splitting of Lagos city into the present-day seven Local Government Areas (LGAs), and the addition of other towns (which now make up 13 LGAs) from the then Western Region to form the state.

Apapa is a Local Government Area in Lagos, Nigeria located to the west of Lagos Island. Apapa contains a number of ports and terminals operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), including the major port of Lagos State, Apapa Port Complex.

In its legislation, the NPA itself does not refer to any port called "Port of Apapa", rather it refers to the "Port of Lagos", "Port of Port Harcourt" and "Port of Calabar".

Eti-Osa is a Local Government Area of Lagos State in Nigeria. Lagos State Government administers the council area as Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Eti-Osa East, and Iru Victoria Island LCDA. Within Eti-Osa are several important areas of Lagos State, including Lagos' Victoria Island. Before the Nigerian Capital moved to Abuja, Eti-Osa Local Government Area served alongside Lagos Island Local Government Area as the seat of the national capital. Eti-osa used to be the poorest neighborhood in Lagos State until development changed it to become one of the most prosperous areas where the richest Nigerians live in Lagos. Currently, Babajide Sanwo Olu is the governor of Lagos State and responsible for the local governments setup and delivering government services to the people.

Amuwo-Odofin is a local government area (LGA) in the Badagry Division, Lagos State, Nigeria.

As of July 2025 the Executive Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area is Prince Lanre Sanusi, who assumed office following the July 2025 local government elections.

Lagos Mainland Local Government is a local government area in the Lagos Division of Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located in central Lagos and has its headquarters at Ebute Metta.

Lagos Mainland Local Government is one of the most densely populated areas in Lagos State with a population of over 500,000 people according to the 2006 Nigerian census, with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. It is home to several major educational institutions such as the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, and the Federal Science and Technology College.

Ajeromi-Ifelodun is a Local Government Area in Badagry Division, Lagos State. It has some 80,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, among if not the world's densest.

Ajeromi Ifelodun accommodates various ethnic groups, with the Yoruba tribe prevailing. The predominant religions are Christianity and Islam, and the commonly spoken languages are Yoruba and English.

Surulere is a local government area located on the mainland in Lagos State, Nigeria. It has an area of 23 km (8.9 sq mi). At the 2006 census, there were 503,975 inhabitants, with a population density of 21,864 inhabitants per square kilometer. The local government area is bordered by Yaba, Mushin, and Ebute-Metta.

The Western Region of Nigeria was established as one of three regions united in the Federation of Nigeria as laid out in the Lyttleton constitution adopted in 1954. On 27 May 1967 1967 the region was divided into the Western State (Nigeria) and Lagos State.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was leader of the Action Group and served as Premier of the Western Region from 1954 to 1959.