Lagos

Lagos is a port city in southwestern Nigeria, spread across islands and the mainland around the Lagos Lagoon on the Gulf of Guinea. Its name, Portuguese for lakes, was given by Portuguese sailors, while the Yoruba call it Èkó. Nollywood, the film industry of Nigeria, grew from its studios and video markets in the 1990s.

Awori Yoruba fishermen and farmers settled the islands of the lagoon, and the Kingdom of Benin set up a camp on Lagos Island in the 16th century. The line of the Oba of Lagos, which goes back to that time, still holds its palace on the island. Britain annexed Lagos in 1861 and made it a colony. Families returning from Brazil and Cuba in the 19th century built two-story houses in Brazilian style in the old town. In 1914 Lagos became the capital of the newly joined Nigeria, and it kept the title until Abuja took it over in the 1990s.

The Apapa port, on the mainland side of the lagoon, handles the container trade of Nigeria. Dangote Group, based in Lagos, makes cement, sugar and salt and runs a refinery at Lekki. Nigerian Breweries, also based in the city, brews Star and Gulder beer. Paystack, founded in Lagos, processes online payments for businesses across Africa.

The National Theatre, opened in the 1970s, is shaped like a military cap and has a large hall for concerts and plays. The New Afrika Shrine, opened by Femi and Yeni Kuti, carries on the music of Fela Kuti, the founder of Afrobeat. The Lekki Conservation Centre keeps a patch of wetland forest with a canopy walkway above the trees. During the Eyo festival, dancers in white robes and wide hats parade across Lagos Island.