Opportunities and Challenges in Lagos

Question 1

What type of opportunities does Lagos provide for its residents?

Answer 1

Lagos provides social, economic and environmental benefits for its citizens.

Question 2

Lagos has the largest economy in West Africa which creates what jobs?

Answer 2

Lagos has the largest economy in West Africa which creates large numbers of jobs in secondary and tertiary businesses including Cadbury and Microsoft.

Question 3

Wages are how many times higher in Lagos compared to rural Nigeria?

Answer 3

Wages are four times higher in Lagos compared to rural Nigeria.

Question 4

Healthcare throughout Nigeria is generally what (three words starting with U)?

Answer 4

Health care throughout Nigeria is generally underfunded, underequipped and understaffed.

Question 5

In Nigeria, how many doctors are there per thousand people?

Answer 5

In Nigeria, there are 0.5 doctors per thousand people.

Question 6

In the UK, how many doctors are there per thousand people?

Answer 6

In the UK, there are 2.8 doctors per thousand people.

Question 7

In Lagos, healthcare is better than rural Nigeria because it has what in the hospitals?

Answer 7

In Lagos, healthcare is better than rural areas with better-trained doctors, more sophisticated equipment and better-access to hospitals.

Question 8

How many doctors are there per thousand people in Lagos?

Answer 8

There are around 5 doctors per thousand people in Lagos.

Question 9

What percent of children in Lagos go to primary school, and compare to the percent of children in rural Nigeria who go to primary school (single and double development)?

Answer 9

In Lagos, 90% of children attend primary school compared to just 60% in rural areas. By attending school, children are more likely to gain better qualifications and therefore access higher paying employment opportunities. ​`

Question 10

Other than healthcare and education, what other services are better in Lagos?

Answer 10

Access to resources like clean water and energy is far greater in Lagos compared with rural Nigeria.

Question 11

What do rural areas in Nigeria rely on for water?

Answer 11

Rural areas in Nigeria rely on digging wells or contaminated rivers for water.

Question 12

What do people have in Lagos that the government built to help them drink cleaner water?

Answer 12

The Lagos state government has invested in two water treatment plants which provide 100 million gallons of clean water a day to Lagos residents. ​

Question 13

Compare access to electricity in rural Nigeria to in Lagos.

Answer 13

Unlike rural Nigeria, electricity access is better in Lagos (99% compared with 33% in rural Nigeria).

Question 14

What is a challenge to do with access to electricity in Lagos?

Answer 14

Despite this higher level of access than rural Nigeria, there are still frequent power cuts and a heavy reliance on diesel generators.

Question 15

What is the current population of Lagos?

Answer 15

The current population of Lagos is around 16 million.

Question 16

How much has the population of Lagos increased in the last three years?

Answer 16

The population of Lagos has increased by 1.6 million people in the last three years.

Question 17

What environmental challenges has the population growth in Lagos caused?

Answer 17

The population growth has worsened air and water pollution due to high rates of industrialisation and traffic congestion.

Question 18

How many hours per week do Lagos residents spend in traffic, according to a 2018 report?

Answer 18

Lagos residents spend an average of 30 hours per week in traffic.

Question 19

What factors exacerbate traffic congestion in Lagos?

Answer 19

Traffic congestion is exacerbated by the low quality of existing roads, the physical geography of Lagos, and the low disposable incomes of locals.

Question 20

Are there plans to improve Lagos’ public transport system?

Answer 20

Yes, there are plans underway to improve the city’s public transport system.

Question 21

What social challenges are caused by the high rates of urban growth in Lagos?

Answer 21

The high rates of urban growth have outpaced the supply of housing, leading to the proliferation of informal squatter settlements.

Question 22

What are informal squatter settlements, and why do they form in Lagos?

Answer 22

Informal squatter settlements are illegal settlements where rural migrants build their own homes from scrap materials due to a lack of affordable housing.

Question 23

What is an example of an informal squatter settlement in Lagos?

Answer 23

Makoko is an example of an informal squatter settlement in Lagos.

Question 24

What basic services are often lacking in informal squatter settlements like Makoko?

Answer 24

Informal squatter settlements often lack access to sewers, clean water pipes, and toilet facilities.

Question 25

What is the estimated population of Makoko?

Answer 25

The estimated population of Makoko is between 40,000 and 300,000.

Question 26

How many schools are in Makoko?

Answer 26

There is only one school in Makoko.

Question 27

What health issue arises from the overuse of public toilets in Makoko?

Answer 27

The overuse of public toilets in Makoko contributes to the spread of diseases like cholera.

Question 28

What percentage of waste is collected in Makoko?

Answer 28

Only 40% of waste is collected in Makoko.

Question 29

What is the maternal mortality rate in Makoko, and how does it compare to the city average?

Answer 29

The maternal mortality rate in Makoko is 10 per 1000 births, compared to the city average of 5 per 1000.

Question 30

Why do many residents in Makoko rely on traditional birth attendants instead of hospitals?

Answer 30

Traditional birth attendants are a cheaper option compared to expensive private hospitals.

Question 31

What is the underlying issue contributing to many of the challenges faced by Lagos residents?

Answer 31

The underlying issue is high unemployment, with 65% of residents working in the informal sector.

Question 32

Why do many rural migrants struggle to find high-paying jobs in Lagos?

Answer 32

Many rural migrants lack the qualifications needed for high-paying jobs.

Question 33

What could help reduce unemployment in Lagos in the future?

Answer 33

Government investment in education, without corruption, could help reduce unemployment.

Question 34

What is the overall healthcare provision in Lagos, and how does it differ in Makoko?

Answer 34

Lagos has 5 doctors per 1000 people, but healthcare provision in Makoko is far more challenging due to poverty and lack of infrastructure.