A BRIEF HISTORY ON LAGOS STATE

A BRIEF HISTORY ON LAGOS STATE

Lagos, sometimes referred to as Lagos State to distinguish it from Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a state in the southwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The smallest in area of Nigeria's 36 states,^[7] Lagos State is arguably the most economically important state of the country,^[8] containing Lagos, the nation's largest urban area. It is a major financial centre and would be the fifth largest economy in Africa, if it were a country.^[9]

It has the highest population density of Nigeria's states. The actual population total is disputed between the official Nigerian Census of 2006 and a much higher figure claimed by the Lagos State Government.

Lagos State is bounded on the north and east by Ogun State. In the west it shares boundaries with the Republic of Benin. Behind its southern borders lies the Atlantic Ocean. 22% of its 3,577 km² are lagoons and creeks.

EARLY HISTORY

Before the Portuguese name of Lagos had been adopted, Lagos' initial name was Eko which referred mainly to the Island. The first to settle in Eko were the Aworis.^[10] The Awori hunters and fishermen had originally come from Ile-Ife to the coast.^[7][11]

POSTCOLONIAL ERA

Lagos State was created on 27 May, 1967 according to the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into a Federation of 12 states.^[12] Before the issuance of this Decree,  Lagos city, which was the country's capital had been administered directly by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs.

However, Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe, surulere and Badagry were administered by the then Western Region Government.^[12] Lagos, the city, along with these other towns were captured to create the state of Lagos, with the state becoming fully recognized as a semi-autonomous administrative division on 11 April, 1968.^[12] Lagos served the dual role of being the State and Federal Capital until 1976, when the capital of the State was moved to Ikeja.^[12] After the full establishment of the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of the Federal Government was also formally relocated to Abuja on 12 December, 1991. Nevertheless, Lagos still remains the financial centre of the country, and also grew to become the most populous city in the state and the country.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN LAGOS

Lagos State is divided into five administrative divisions, which are further divided into 20 local government areas, or LGAs. They are:^[27]

LGA name	Area (km2)	Census 2006 population	Administrative capital	Postal code
Agege	11	459,939	Agege	100
Alimosho	185	1,277,714	Ikotun	100
Ifako-Ijaye	27	427,878	Ifako	100
Ikeja	46	313,196	Ikeja	100
Kosofe	81	665,393	Kosofe	100
Mushin	17	633,009	Mushin	100
Oshodi-Isolo	45	621,509	Oshodi/Isolo	100
Shomolu	12	402,673	Shomolu	101
Ikeja Division	424	4,801,311
Apapa	27	217,362	Apapa	101
Eti-Osa	192	287,785	Ikoyi	101
Lagos Island	9	209,437	Lagos Island	101
Lagos Mainland	19	317,720	Lagos Mainland	101
Surulere	23	503,975	Surulere	101
Lagos Division	270	1,542,279
Ajeromi-Ifelodun	12	684,105	Ajeromi/Ifelodun	102
Amuwo-Odofin	135	318,166	Festac Town	102
Ojo	158	598,071	Ojo	102
Badagry	441	241,093	Badagry	103
Badagry Division	746	1,841,435
Ikorodu	394	535,619	Ikorodu	104
Ikorodu Division	394	535,619
Ibeju-Lekki	455	117,481	Akodo	105
Epe	1,185	181,409	Epe	106
Epe Division	1,640	298,890
Total	3,474	9,019,534	Ikeja