This document analyzes urban governance challenges in Lagos, Nigeria through a case study. It identifies several issues facing Lagos due to rapid population growth and rural-urban migration, such as overcrowded shanty towns, traffic, poor zoning laws, and pollution. To address these problems, Lagos has reclaimed land from a former beach to build a new financial district called Eko Atlantic. However, the document argues that Eko Atlantic alone is not enough and long-term solutions require decentralized development, modern city planning, proper zoning laws, environmental regulations, and participatory governance across Nigeria.

1. Urban Governance in the Global South:
Lagos City as a Case Study
UQ SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
PLAN7614: Urban Management & Governance
in Developing Countries
By: Ezimah Chidinma
ID: 44245092
c.ezimah@uqconnect.ed.au

2. source: Pulse.ng
Like
most
emerging
economies,
urban-­‐centred
development
has
heightened
rural-­‐urban
migration
to
Lagos,
as
it
has
decent
infrastructures
relative
to
other
states
in
Nigeria.
It
is
home
to
about
17million
people
and
is
expected
to
keep
increasing.
This
rapid
population
growth
breeds
urban
challenges.
A
few
will
be
mentioned.
2

3. Source:Trip.me
Unconventional buildings in Lagos shanties, indication of overcrowding, weak institutional and
regulatory frameworks. Shanties are notorious for violence, flooding amongst many others.
Urban challenge: Shanty Towns
3

4. Source: Lagosians Hub
A regular rush hour for residents at the Lagos mainland. Indication of over crowdedness, poor
infrastructures and so on. This affect efficiency of workers, as they get to work late and stressed.
Urban challenge: Traffic

5. Source: World map
A section of the financial hub of the city. Indication of poor zoning laws, and poor urban planning.
Urban Challenge: Poor Zoning Law

6. Source: Pulse.ng
An environmentally polluted Lagos shanty, just like many other shanties. Residents are exposed to disease
epidemics in such environments. What is Lagos government doing about these challenges you must wonder?
Urban Challenge: Pollution

7. Lagos State
Former Bar Beach
Lagos occupies the smallest land mass in Nigeria but has the largest population. 10million square meters of
land has been reclaimed from the former bar beach located in the City to create Eko Atlantic city.
Source: The News

8. Eko atlantic today
Land has been reclaimed from bar beach, by construction of an ongoing 8.5 kilometres sea wall. It will be the
new financial hub and home to many, tourist attraction location and most importantly will solve some of the
urban challenges in Lagos
Source: Eko atlantic

9. The future of Eko Atlantic
Eko atlantic has a lot of potentials as it has the support of many international investors. All things equal, with
proper management, it brings Lagos closer to solving its urban issues. Is this strategy enough?
Source: Eko Atlantic

10. No, Eko Atlantic is not enough to address the enormous challenges
facing Lagos. A more permanent solution will involve decentralized
development programs that engender the needs of rural areas to curb
the ongoing wave of rural-urban migration. Modern city plan
programs like Eko Atlantic and proper zoning laws, environmental
protection regulations and participatory city governance will be
crucial in addressing urban development across Nigeria, not just
Lagos.