Lagos

Question 1

Lagos location and population

Answer 1

Located in Western Africa, borders the Gulf of Guinea. South Nigeria.
Mega city with a population of 15-20 million people

Question 2

Challenges in Lagos

Answer 2

• 40% of workers are in the informal job economy which is unregulated, has low job security and does not benefit government with tax.
• Slum areas such as Makoko are dangerous with very high crime rates

Question 3

Opportunities in Lagos

Answer 3

Economic : 80% of West African flights now land in Lagos, financial industry in Lagos.
Social: There are a total of 2500 secondary and 11200 primary schools in Lagos providing education for 90% of children, more healthcare centres ,hospitals and medicines available.

Question 4

Planning solutions in Lagos

Answer 4

Makoko floating school case study
Social : up to 100 students educated for free, also used for community meetings and activities.
Economic : education improves job prospects, provides jobs for teachers
Environmental : runs on solar power, collected rainwater, built using locally sourced materials

After 18 months the prototype school was built it was destroyed in a storm and is yet to be repaired or replaced.

Question 5

Problems due to Lagos’ rapid growth

Answer 5

• many slums and squatter settlements created as construction cannot keep up with the growth, increasing house prices make them too costly. 66% of people live in slums.
• only 40% of the city is connected to the state water supply. People pay inflated prices to vendors.
• poor sanitation in Lagos, up to 15 households share a toilet, waste goes into local water sources. Contaminated water can cause disease such as cholera.
  -energy issues, not enough energy to power the whole city at once, generators used which are loud and polluting.
  -crime, not enough formal jobs for the growing population, people turn to crime.
  -unemployment, 60% of the population work in informal jobs without legal protection.