Lagos Metropolitan Area: Physical, Historical and Housing Development

Lagos Metropolitan Area (LMA) is the greater Lagos Megacity Region. This city has been playing a vital role in the economic and political lives of Nigerian. Although located in the South Western Nigeria, Lagos metropolis is a melting pot of all ethnic groups in Nigeria. It is a slave trade port that grew in the fifteenth century into a strong virile super economic power in the African sub-Saharan region. Probably, it is the most industrialized city in Africa and certainly the most populous in Nigeria. Lagos megacity remains as the main economic nerve of the nation and also a relatively stable city over time. Historically, Lagos grew as a slave trade port in the fifteenth century, and at the point of colonial administration in 1914, it assumed the capital city of Nigeria, and after in independence 1960, Lagos naturally retained the capital city until 1991 when Abuja took over as the seat of power in Nigeria. Located in the tropics, Lagos enjoys wonderful climatic and geological stability. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean confines its opportunities in maritime and banking activities. The housing condition of Lagos has its root in the colonial Government Reserve Areas (GRAs) which created more exclusive regions of special housing for the more privileged rich Nigerians. However, the exponential growth of Lagos has created some residential polarization leading to segmented housing markets. While Lagos enjoys some exquisite residential neighborhoods, a greater part of the city lies on the downtown where there are low-priced homes and poor-quality private housing.