LIFESTYLE OF LAGOS INHABITANTS AND THE

NEED TO EMBRACE SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT

THE LAGOS

LIFESTYLE

I live in Lagos, Nigeria, the largest metropolitan city and the

commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.

Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria, the second

fastest-growing city in Africa and the seventh in the world.

Lagos was reported in 2014 to have a metropolitan population

of 21 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in Africa,

with a land area covering 999.6km2.

Lagos is Nigeria's economic focal point, generating a

significant portion of the country's GDP. Most commercial and

financial business are located in Lagos.

INTRODUCTION

The high urbanization of Lagos and its small land area has given

rise to deteriorating living conditions, increasing rates of death

and diseases caused by pollution and poor sanitation.

Lagos is simply the biggest node in the shantytown corridor of

70 million people that stretches from Abidjan (Ivory Coast) to

Ibadan (Nigeria) in the west coast of Africa.

Lagos represents the epitome of urban decay. The metropolis is

replete with environmental problems ranging from slums and

squatter settlements, to crime and delinquency.

INTRODUCTION

According to UN Habitat, Lagos has about 100 slums as at

2004.

The poor living condition and lifestyle of majority of Lagosians

can be attributable to poverty and the quest for economic

survival.

The high level of environmental degradation in Lagos is

negating the concept of sustainable development.

However, the lifestyle of Lagos inhabitants can be improved to

achieve the Millennium Development Goals through enhanced

poverty management and sustainable environmental principles.

INTRODUCTION

LAGOS LIFESTYLE

Poor sanitation and improper refuse disposal are common with

most environments in Lagos

High Green House Gas

emission being injected into

the environment

LAGOS LIFESTYLE

A NEW LAGOS IS

POSSIBLE

Improving the lifestyle of inhabitants of Lagos is important in order

to achieve a sustainable environment.

The major areas that is needed to be improved upon in Lagos

are:

Public transportation system: Efficient and improved

transportation system through the deployment of high capacity

buses that are environmental friendly with little GHG emission

Refuse and sewage disposal management: Improved refuse

disposal system will help keep the environment clean

Access to clean water: Access to clean water will improve

hygiene and lifestyle of Lagos dwellers

ACTIONS REQUIRED

Mass housing: Affordable mass housing is required through

public-private sector partnerships to improve urbanisation and

social infrastructure.

Child right: The right of every child to education is essential while

laws should be enacted to prevent child labour.

Urban Planning: Improve the use and design of scarce land,

including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of

urban areas such as transportation and distribution networks.

ACTIONS REQUIRED

Efficient

public

transportation

system

reduces GHG

emissions

IMPROVED LIFESTYLE

IMPROVED LIFESTYLE

Mass housing that is affordable and environmental friendly

IMPROVED LIFESTYLE

Climate change is destroying our path to sustainability.

Ours is a world of looming challenges and increasingly

limited resources. Sustainable development offers the

best chance to adjust our course. – Ban Ki-moon, UN

Secretary General.

CONCLUSION