Lagos state was the former capital of Nigeria until May 27, 1967, when the capital was later moved to Abuja on December 31, 1991. Lagos is the busiest commercial city in Nigeria and one of the most vibrant economic hubs in Africa. The city is located in the southwestern part of Nigeria. It shares an interstate border with Ogun State to the north, an international border with Benin to the west for about 10 kilometers, and is bounded to the south by the Bight of Benin. Lagos can be located on the map with coordinates 6°35′N latitude and 3°45′E longitude.
In this article, you’ll learn about the date of Lagos’ creation, its main indigenous people, land area, population, geographical features, climate, local government areas (LGAs), Hotels, educational institutions, and the governors of Lagos. Additionally, you will learn about the first governor of Lagos State.
Creation
Lagos is one of the first states created in Nigeria. The former capital city was officially established as Lagos State in 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon, then Nigeria’s military Head of State. Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State and serves as the administrative center where the executive arm of government operates. Historically, what is now Lagos State was initially called Eko, but in 1970, it was renamed Lagos, a Portuguese word.
Additionally, Lagos is home to Computer Village, located in Ikeja, which serves as a major technology hub for those in need of personal computers, gadgets, and accessories. Lagos is nicknamed Centre of Excellence which is the Motto of the fast developing in the world. Top places and town include Lagos vicotria island, Lekki, Ikeja, Ikordun, surulere, festac, ojo, Badagry and more. If you are plannning to moving to lagos, those some of the areas you research about for a settlement.
Land Area
Lagos State has a landmass of 3,577 square kilometers (1,381 square miles), making it the smallest of Nigeria’s 36 states in terms of area. The state’s land space represents less than 0.4% of the total land area of Nigeria.
Population
Although Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria by land area, it is the second most populous state in the country. According to the 2007 Nigerian population census, the state had an estimated 9 million people, with a population density of 2,500 people per square kilometer.
Geographical Features
Lagos is surrounded by numerous water bodies. The Lagos Lagoon and Lekki Lagoon are the two largest water bodies, serving as tributaries to the Ogun and Osun Rivers. Several smaller rivers also traverse the state, many of which serve as transportation routes for people and goods.
One of the most notable water bodies in Lagos is Lekki Beach, a popular spot for relaxation and recreation. During festive periods, families and tourists flock to the beach to unwind and have fun.
Lagos’ topography is shaped by its many water bodies and dense tropical land area, making it one of the most heavily populated regions in Nigeria. Wildlife in the area includes species such as the Mona monkey and tree pangolin, but rapid urbanization and deforestation threaten their survival. The African bush elephant is also present in some parts of the state.
Climate of Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria, has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: dry and wet. The region is generally hot throughout the year. Lagos experiences a five-month dry season, starting in November and ending in March. The city’s average annual temperature is 28.65°C, which is slightly lower than the national average. Although the Harmattan from the Sahara Desert is less intense in Lagos due to its coastal location, it still occurs between November and March. During this period, the weather is typically cold, dry, and dusty, prompting people, especially children, to wear cardigans.
The wet season is usually cooler but has higher humidity due to increased rainfall. Rain can begin as early as April and last until October, with May through July being the peak of rainfall. The city receives an average of 194 days of rainfall and about 5.2 inches of precipitation annually. August is the coolest month in Lagos, with an average temperature of 25.6°C, while March is the warmest, with an average temperature of 29.5°C (85.1°F).
So, when is the best time to visit Lagos, Nigeria? The weather is calmer and more comfortable from November to February, with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Although this is the Harmattan period, it is generally mild in coastal areas.
The People of Lagos
Lagos is a diverse city with a rich mix of tribes and languages. The Yoruba people are the majority and are regarded as the primary indigenous group of the state. They are spread across different parts of Lagos. In the western part of Lagos, the Ewe and Ogu people have major settlements.
Due to migration over the centuries, non-indigenous groups from other parts of Nigeria have settled in Lagos in large numbers. These ethnic groups include the Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Edo, Efik, Nupe, Ijaw, and Ibibio.
Lagos is also home to foreign communities, including Ghanaians, Togolese, Beninese, Lebanese, Chinese, and Indians, many of whom have lived in the city for decades and contributed to its cosmopolitan culture.
List of Local Governmnet Areas (LGAs)
| LG Area | Postal Code | Population |
| Agege | 100283 | 461,123 |
| Ajeromi-Ifelodun | 102103 | 1,456,783 |
| Alimosho | 100275 | 2,000,346 |
| Amuwo-Odofin | 102102 | 500,576 |
| Apapa | 101254 | 217,661 |
| Badagry | 103101 | 241,437 |
| Epe | 106101 | 181,715 |
| Eti-Osa | 101233 | 287,958 |
| Ibeju-Lekki | 105101 | 117,542 |
| Ifako-Ijaiye | 100215 | 428,812 |
| Ikeja | 100271 | 313,333 |
| Ikorodu | 104101 | 535,811 |
| Kosofe | 100246 | 665,421 |
| Lagos Island | 101223 | 209,665 |
| Lagos Mainland | 100001 | 317,980 |
| Mushin | 100253 | 633,543 |
| Ojo | 102101 | 598,336 |
| Oshodi-Isolo | 100264 | 1,621,789 |
| Somolu | 101283 | 402,992 |
| Surulere | 101283 | 504,409 |
Who Was the First Governor of Lagos State?
Mobolaji Johnson, a Brigadier in the Nigerian Army, ruled the first Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Nigeria. He held this position from 1966 until May 1967, when Lagos State was officially created, although Lagos remained the headquarters of Nigeria until 1991, when it was moved to Abuja. However, after his appointment by Yakubu Gowon, Johnson continued as the first Governor of Lagos State.
Johnson was born on February 9, 1936, in Lagos, which was then part of British Nigeria. Between 1941 and 1946, he attended Reagan Memorial Baptist School until it became an all-girls’ school. In 1946, his parents enrolled him at Methodist School Yaba, where he continued his primary education. In 1954, he attended Hussey College in Warri for his first secondary school education. After spending a year there, he returned to Lagos to complete his secondary education at Methodist Boys’ High School, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he became renowned for his skills in various sports.
After rounding up secondary school, Johnson joined the army in 1958 and underwent training at the Military Camp in Zaria. He also trained at the Officer Cadet School in Ghana and attended the former British Mons Officer Cadet Training School in Aldershot, UK. Additionally, he went to the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK.
After completing his education, his first posting was to the 5th Nigerian Battalion in Kaduna, where he served in UN operations in the Congo. Over the years, he had several postings, rising through the ranks in the military. At the age of 31, he was appointed as the Military Administrator of Lagos, Nigeria’s Federal Territory, in 1966.
In 1967, when Nigeria was divided into twelve states, including Lagos, Johnson became the first Governor of Lagos State. During his administration, he laid the foundation for modern Lagos. He initiated the Lagos State Coat of Arms and established the distinctive yellow, blue, red, green, and white colors seen in Lagos today. His administration also oversaw the establishment of five government colleges, the commissioning of the first housing estate in Lagos through then Head of State Yakubu Gowon, and the creation of industrial estates, hospitals, and poultry programs.
The Brigadier left a lasting legacy that has helped shape Lagos into one of the fastest-developing urban cities in the world in the 21st century.
Who Was The First Civilian Governor Of Lagos State?
A civilian governor is a governor elected into office by the will of the people. This means the people vote for their preferred candidate, and the winner becomes the governor.
In this regard, the first civilian or democratic governor of Lagos State was Late Lateef Kayode Jakande. He won under the then Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
Lateef was responsible for the establishment of Lagos State University (LASU). He also established numerous primary and secondary schools aimed at providing free education for the poor.
His achievements include the establishment of Gbagada General Hospital, Ikorodu General Hospital, and various health centers across several towns in Lagos.
Though Jakande has passed on, he is still warmly remembered as one of the founding fathers of modern Lagos, with the Lagos State House named after him.
Jakande was born on July 23, 1929, and passed away on February 11, 2021.
Who Is The Current Governor Of Lagos State?
Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the current governor of Lagos State. He has held the position since 2019 after winning the gubernatorial election in March of that year. Sanwo-Olu owes his political rise to Bola Ahmed Tinubu (now the President of Nigeria), who endorsed him as the APC governorship candidate. His chances were further boosted when the then-incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, lost the support of Tinubu and the APC leadership in the 2019 primary election.
Sanwo-Olu is currently serving his second term, having won the 2023 election against his closest rival, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.
Born on June 25, 1965, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a Nigerian banker and politician. He spent most of his career in the financial sector before becoming the governor of Lagos State.
List of all Governors of Lagos State
Here are the names, title and year in office of the former and present governors of Lagos state:
| Name | Administrator/ Governor | Years in Office |
| Mobolaji Johnson | Military Admin. | May 1967 – Jul 1975 |
| Adekunle Lawal | Military Admin. | Jul 1975 – 1977 |
| Ndubuisi Kanu | Military Admin. | 1977 – Jul 1978 |
| Ebitu Ukiwe | Military Admin. | Jul 1978 – Oct 1979 |
| Lateef Jakande | Civilian Gov. | Oct 1979 – Dec 1983 |
| Gbolahan Mudasiru | Military Admin. | Jan 1984 – Aug 1986 |
| Mike Akhigbe | Military Admin. | Aug 1986 – Jul 1988 |
| Raji Rasaki | Military Admin. | Jul 1988 – Jan 1992 |
| Michael Otedola | Civilian Gov. | Jan 1992 – Nov 1993 |
| Olagunsoye Oyinlola | Military Admin. | Dec 1993 – Aug 1996 |
| Mohammed B. Marwa | Military Admin. | Aug 1996 – May 1999 |
| Bola Tinubu | Civilian Gov. | May 1999 – May 2007 |
| Babatunde Fashola | Civilian Gov. | May 2007 – May 2015 |
| Akinwunmi Ambode | Civilian Gov. | May 2015 – May 2019 |
| Babajide Sanwo-Olu | Civilian Gov. | May 2019 – Present |
List of Hotels in Lagos
If you are visiting Lagos for the first time or touring the city, staying in a comfortable hotel might be your best option—unless you have someone to host you. Of course, the city of Lagos has many top hotels where you can spend the night. There are numerous options available in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikeja, Surulere, Amuwo Odofin, and Yaba.
| Hotel Name | Address | Postal Code | Phone Number |
| Lagos Continental Hotel (5 star hotel) | 52a Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria | 101241 | +234 (0) 2012366666 |
| Oriental Hotel Lagos | 3 Lekki Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria | 106104 | +234(0)201 280 6600 |
| Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja | 38-40 Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA, Lagos | 100271 | N/A |
| Eko Hotel (5 star hotel) | Plot 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos | N/A | +234 9092772700 |
| Sheraton Hotels | 30 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, 021189, Lagos | N/A | N/A |
| Kings Celia Hotel And Suite | 8 Jibowu St, Jibowu, Lagos 101245, Lagos | 101245 | N/A |
| Deke Hotel | 79 Karimu, Karimu Ikotun Cl, Lagos | N/A | N/A |
| The Snug | 30 Commercial Avenue, Behind First Bank, Sabo, Yaba | N/A | N/A |
| Abayomi Agia Hotel | 4 Ifebajo Street, Maza Maza, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, Nigeria | N/A | 0813 444 0901 |
| Wood Peckers Hotel | 32 Bassie Ogamba Street, Adeniran Ogunsanya | N/A | 0809 013 6444 |
List of Institutions in Lagos State
In Lagos State, there are several universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for individuals aspiring to study in the state. You can choose from the list below, which includes their respective statuses.
Universities in Lagos
| Name | Type | Location (Lagos) |
| University of Lagos (UNILAG) | Federal | Akoka, Yaba |
| National Open University of Nigeria | Federal | Various Centres |
| Lagos State University (LASU) | State | Ojo, Ikeja |
| Lagos State University of Education | State | Otto/Ijanikin |
| Lagos State University of Science and Technology (formerly Lagos State Polytechnic | State | Ikorodu |
| Anchor University | Private | Ayobo, Ipaja |
| Augustine University | Private | Ilara, Epe |
| Caleb University | Private | Imota, Ikorodu |
| CETEP City University | Private | Lagos Mainland |
| Pan-Atlantic University | Private | Ibeju-Lekki |
Polytechnics in Lagos
| Name | Type | Location (Lagos) |
| Yaba College of Technology | Federal | Yaba |
| Lagos City Polytechnic | Private | Ikeja |
Monotechnics in Lagos
| Name | Type | Location (Lagos) |
| Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology | Federal | Victoria Island |
| Lagos State College of Health Technology | State | Yaba |
| Nigerian Institute of Journalism | Private | Ogba |
Colleges of Education in Lagos
| Name | Type | Location (Lagos) |
| College of Education | Federal | Akoka, Yaba |
| Michael Otedola College of Education | State | Noforija, Epe |
| Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education | State | Otto/Ijanikin |
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Lagos State?
- The capital city of Lagos State is Ikeja, where the government administrative buildings are located.
What’s the population of Lagos State?
- According to the 2006 census, the population was 9.1 million. An estimate in 2022 suggests the population has increased to 35 million residents.
What is the slogan of Lagos State?
- The slogan of Lagos State is “Centre of Excellence.” It is inscribed on vehicle plate numbers registered in Lagos.
What is Lagos State’s postal code?
- The general postal (ZIP) code for Lagos State is 100001, which applies to the Lagos Mainland GPO. However, different areas in Lagos have their own specific postal codes.
