Difference between Lagos and Abuja Environment?

The biggest between Lagos and Abuja

Lagos was designed

 Lagos City is a sprawling metropolitan area located in southwestern Nigeria. With an estimated population of 21 million, it stands as the largest city in Nigeria and the most populous urban area in Africa. Until December 1991, Lagos served as the national capital of Nigeria before the government elected to relocate its capital to Abuja, situated in the central region of the country. Recognized as a significant African financial center, Lagos functions as the economic nucleus of Lagos State and Nigeria at large. The city exerts substantial influence across various domains including commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion in Africa. Lagos also ranks among the top ten of the world's fastest-growing cities and urban areas. Objectively considered a megacity, it commands the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent.

Lagos' historical roots can be traced back to the 15th century when it served as a settlement for the Awori subgroup of the Yoruba people in West Africa. Subsequently, it fell under the control of the Benin Empire and was known as "Eko." These islands are demarcated by creeks, lining the southwest expanse of the Lagos Lagoon, and are shielded from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and extensive sand spits such as Bar Beach, spanning 100 kilometers (62 miles) east and west of the mouth. The city's rapid urbanization led to an expansion beyond the lagoon to encompass regions in present-day Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Surulere, resulting in the classification of Lagos into two primary areas: the original city of Lagos, known as the Island, and its subsequent expansion, known as the Mainland.

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Lagos was previously administered directly by the Federal Government through the Lagos City Council until the establishment of Lagos State in 1967, which triggered the division of Lagos city into the present-day seven Local Government Areas (LGAs). The state capital was subsequently relocated to Ikeja in 1976, and the federal capital was moved to Abuja in 1991. While still commonly referred to as a city, present-day Lagos, also recognized as "Metropolitan Lagos," officially constitutes an urban agglomeration or conurbation composed of 16 LGAs, including Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State.

The accurate population figure of Metropolitan Lagos is a subject of contention. The 2006 federal census data estimated a population of approximately 8 million, a figure contested by the Lagos State Government, which released its own data citing the population of Lagos Metropolitan Area at around 16 million. Owing to a daily population growth of approximately 3,000 individuals and an annual increase of around 1.1 million, estimates suggest that the true population of the greater Lagos area in 2022 is roughly 28 million, a surge from approximately 23.5 million in 2018. As of 2015, unofficial figures positioned the population of "Greater Metropolitan Lagos," encompassing Lagos and its surrounding metro area, extending into Ogun State, at approximately 21 million. Notably, the Lagos conurbation forms part of an emerging transnational megalopolis on the West African coast, encompassing regions across five sovereign states, known as the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor.

The University of Lagos stands as one of the pioneering universities in Nigeria. The central business district features Tinubu Square, named after the esteemed slave trader Efunroye Tinubu. Lagos is home to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, named after Nigerian president Murtala Muhammad, and is recognized as one of the busiest airports in Africa. Additionally, the Lagos National Stadium has hosted numerous international sports events, including the 1980 African Cup of Nations.

The appellation "Lagos" is derived from the Portuguese word for "lakes," pronounced /ˈleɪɡɒs/ (LAY-goss) in British and Nigerian English, and /ˈlɑːɡoʊs/ (LAH-gohss) in American English. The native Yoruba name Èkó is also employed by Yoruba people. Lagos may have been named after the Portuguese town called Lagos, as at the time of the 15th century, Lagos, Portugal, served as the principal center of Portuguese maritime expeditions along the African coast.

Abuja was designed

Abuja, pronounced /əˈbuːdʒə/, is the capital and eighth most populous city of Nigeria. It's located in the middle of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and was built as a planned city in the 1980s. Abuja was designed by a consortium of American planning and architecture firms, and it became the capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city.

The city's geography is defined by Aso Rock, a 400-metre monolith left by water erosion. The Presidential Complex, National Assembly, Supreme Court, and much of the city extend to the south of the rock. Zuma Rock, a 792-metre monolith, lies just north of the city on the expressway to Kaduna.

As of 2016, the metropolitan area of Abuja is estimated at six million people, making it the second most populous metro area in Nigeria after Lagos.

Another friendly fact is that Abuja is known for being one of the few purpose-built capital cities in Africa and one of the wealthiest.

The history of Abuja traces back to the early 20th century when it was the name of the nearby town now called Suleja. The indigenous inhabitants of Abuja are the Abawa, Basa, Gwandara, Gbagyi (Gwari), and other groups in the area. The choice of Abuja as the capital was made to signify neutrality and national unity and to address the overcrowding and squalid conditions of Lagos.

The construction of Abuja began in 1979 but faced challenges due to economic and political instability. The move of Nigeria's capital to Abuja was controversial, and the biggest opposition to it was led by Obafemi Awolowo. He defended the claims against the move of the capital from Lagos but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Overall, Abuja is a city of great significance in Nigeria, and it continues to grow and develop as a key hub in African affairs and as an important administrative and political center."