Lagos: Case Study Global South

Question 1

Describe Lagos, Nigeria, population growth patterns and why their population has increased

Answer 1

-Exponential growth from 300k in 1950 to 16 million in 2024. Largest megacity in future with over 70 mil.
-Natural increase, rural-urban migration push/pull.

Question 2

Describe character of Lagos (Nigeria are a MINT economy)

Answer 2

-Largest city in Nigeria and Africa.
-25% of country’s GDP.
-Centre of West African finance.
-Crude oil exports (6 ports). Shell TNC

Question 3

Describe physical environment

Answer 3

-Has coastal areas and islands.
-Lots of brackish, still water ideal for mosquitoes.
-Low-lying region at risk in wet season/to sea levesl/TRS. Lekki peninsular eroding.
-Often domestic water is contaminated so many opt for bottled.

-Very hot and only wealthy can afford air con.

Question 4

Describe economic and social well-being

Answer 4

-27 Gini.
- GDP per capita 10x less than London.
-2/3 population live on less than a dollar a day (absolute poverty).
-Wealth inequality only worsening with expat communties/fortress developments.
-Rapid Overpopulation, pressure on infrastructure, health/crime issues.
-Ajegunle district informal housing for 3 million.

Question 5

Describe environmental setting/sustainability

Answer 5

-Lots of air pollution (24k premature deaths)
but being adressed by public transport to CBD (train). Effective and used by 250k daily.
-“Clean Lagos” to tackle and restrict incineration has been effective.
-Water scarcity in dry seasons and issues with the quality of water. Rich pay for wells for themselves. Can worsen inequalities.
-Lagos lagoon suffers hazardous sewage from a lack of regulation.
-Niger delta oil spills

Question 6

Give 2 contrasting Lagosian views

Answer 6

-Some believe it barely functions now due to traffic/electricty provisions. Can be a boring place for teenagers.
-Some believe the megacity development has reduced hardship and improved transport and access to urban areas.

Question 7

Describe 2 strategies to manage economic inequality and talk of their effectiveness (could say train for 250k people too)

Answer 7

-Rent-to-buy schemes offer low-middle incomes access to newly built houses. 22k new homes by 2019 but not matched rapid growth. Also, far away from CBD. Transport costs have tripled.
-Social welfare programmes. Cash transfers to vulnerable/health provision. Some free child healthcare. Mostly underfunded, not well spatially distributed and are inefficient with their distribution.

Question 8

Describe cultural diversity

Answer 8

-Cultural capital of Nigeria. Predominanlty indigenous. Lots of immigrants from neighboruing counties. Nollywood.

Question 9

Give 2 ways to manage diveristy here and state whether they’ve been effective

Answer 9

-Interfaith councils (political) promote understanding between religious groups. Eased some tensions but conflicts have still been evident.
-Promote festivals like Lagos Carnival. Fosters unity. But, benefits usually concentrated in affluent, urban areas not outskirts.