Lagos and Abuja are two cities in Nigeria that need no introduction. Both cities are really popular and very significant in their respective right. Lagos has once been the seat of power and has for years been Nigeria’s commercial capital, while Abuja has been Nigeria’s capital city since 1991.
In terms of infrastructural development among the states in Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja stand out. These two cities have some of the most beautiful, well-planned, and modern urban areas, estates, shopping malls, hotels, high-rise buildings, etc. But then, which is more developed between Lagos and Abuja? This is the question this article will be providing an answer to in detail.
Lagos and Abuja: Which is More Developed?
Lagos State is the most developed of all the 36 states in Nigeria. Though Abuja is Nigeria’s seat of power and the most beautiful city in the country but Lagos, as the economic and commercial capital, is more developed than Abuja.
Lagos State is by far the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of land size, sitting on a land area of 3,577 square kilometers (1380.7 square miles), but yet it is the most populated state in the country.
There are more than 21 million people in Lagos and this has positioned the city as the largest in Africa and among the fastest-growing cities of the world. Lagos State, with Ikeja as the capital, is divided into 20 Local Government Areas. It is bounded by Ogun State to the north and east, by the Bight of Benin to the south, and by the Benin Republic to the west
Lagos was the capital of Nigeria before the Federal Government changed the nation’s capital city to Abuja in 1991. But even at that, Lagos has remained Nigeria’s commercial capital and economic hub ever since.
The state which has its slogan as the “Centre of Excellence” is the richest and most developed state in Nigeria. Among the 36 states in Nigeria, it is Lagos state that generates the highest internal revenue and contributes the most to Nigeria’s GDP. If Lagos were to be a country, it would have been the 5th largest economy in Africa.
The literacy rate of 96.3% in Lagos State is the second-highest, after Imo State, in Nigeria. Lagos is the most popular place outside Nigeria, hence, it easily attracts expatriates, foreign celebrities, and other high-profile individuals.
Lagos is the hub of Nigerian entertainment as it has a lot of studios, record labels, and movie production enterprises. Also, a lot of celebrities and artistes live in Lagos and carry out their shows and promote their careers there. There are lots of amenities and places of interest in Lagos such as 3-5 star hotels, malls, cinemas, eateries, parks, museums, beaches, cafes, event centers, etc.
In terms of infrastructural development, Lagos State remains ahead in Nigeria and it is continually evolving to meet up with the 21st-century development standards of other major cities in the world. Lagos State boasts of some really good road networks and major bridges that cannot be seen in any other part of Nigeria.
The state houses the headquarters of many national and multinational companies in the country and this has significantly boosted the economic returns of the state. Also, the busiest airports and seaports are strategically located in Lagos State which is the reason why it’s the state that attracts the most local and foreign investments into Nigeria.
Recent developments in Lagos State have brought about a massive boost in real estate, with top-of-the-line destinations like Banana Island and the Eko Atlantic City being added to the list of already appealing locations on the Island of Lagos such as Ajah, Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Victoria Garden City (VGC), etc.
The new US Consulate pegged at a whopping $537 million is being built in Eko Atlantic City. Lagos State has several industrial estates located in different parts of the state. The Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) and the Dangote Refinery are also impressive infrastructures in Lagos State.
Ikeja, the state capital city, which is located on the Mainland of Lagos, is also impressively built, with good road networks and an organized landscape. The Alausa area – where government administrative buildings are located – is very well constructed and has modern infrastructures. The Ikeja metropolis is very well lit especially at night and ranks as one of the top destinations in Lagos State and the country at large for business enterprises.
So compared to Abuja, Lagos is more developed as it is the overall most developed state in Nigeria and has lots of infrastructures that the country’s capital cannot beat.
Wrap-up on Lagos vs. Abuja
Abuja and Lagos are two of the most important places in Nigeria, with the former being the country’s capital city and the latter being the nation’s economic heartbeat.
Both of these places are beautiful, with Abuja being more beautiful. But when both places are compared based on development, Lagos State is more developed. Lagos is continually evolving to meet up with 21st-century development as seen in major cities of the world and as such boast of many modern infrastructures that beat those in Abuja.
Which is better Lagos or Abuja?
The better place between Lagos and Abuja is subjective and based on your preference. Lagos is a bustling city with much more people, a robust economy, and great nightlife, and generally considered a land of opportunities. Abuja is serene, well-planned, with a good road network, has fewer people, and provides an opportunity to get federal jobs. So the better place is based on individual preference.
Which state is the richest in Nigeria?
Lagos State is the richest state in Nigeria. It has the highest GDP ($33.68 Billion) in Nigeria and generates the biggest internal revenue among the states of the federation.