Lagos State sits in Nigeria’s South West geopolitical zone, with its capital at Ikeja. The state has 20 local government areas and a population of 9,113,605 at the 2006 census, projected to 13,491,800 by 2022. Every LGA below links to its full town-and-village list where we cover it.
Local Government Areas in Lagos State
The table lists all 20 official LGAs alphabetically, with 2006 census and 2022 projected populations.
| LGA | 2006 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Agege | 461,743 | 683,600 |
| Ajeromi-Ifelodun | 687,316 | 1,017,500 |
| Alimosho | 1,319,571 | 1,953,500 |
| Amuwo-Odofin | 328,975 | 487,000 |
| Apapa | 222,986 | 330,100 |
| Badagry | 237,731 | 351,900 |
| Epe | 181,734 | 269,000 |
| Eti-Osa | 283,791 | 420,100 |
| Ibeju/Lekki | 117,793 | 174,400 |
| Ifako-Ijaye | 427,737 | 633,200 |
| Ikeja | 317,614 | 470,200 |
| Ikorodu | 527,917 | 781,500 |
| Kosofe | 682,772 | 1,010,800 |
| Lagos Island | 212,700 | 314,900 |
| Lagos Mainland | 326,700 | 483,600 |
| Mushin | 631,857 | 935,400 |
| Ojo | 609,173 | 901,800 |
| Oshodi-Isolo | 629,061 | 931,300 |
| Shomolu | 403,569 | 597,400 |
| Surulere | 502,865 | 744,400 |
Lagos State has 20 official local government areas; 7 of them have full town-and-village lists on this site.
Geography
Lagos is Nigeria’s smallest state by land area but its most densely built-up. It sits on the Atlantic coast in the South West, bordered by Ogun State to the north and east and the Republic of Benin to the west. Lagos Lagoon and a chain of coastal creeks and barrier islands run through the state, separating mainland districts like Ikeja and Mushin from island districts like Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, and Ibeju/Lekki. Low-lying terrain and extensive mangrove wetlands along the lagoon shoreline leave many coastal and creekside communities exposed to flooding during the rainy season. The Lekki Peninsula stretches east from Victoria Island toward Ogun’s coastline, while the Badagry Creek links the state to the Republic of Benin in the far west. Much of the built-up mainland sits on reclaimed and drained wetland, a legacy of decades of urban expansion around the original island settlements. Bridges carry most of the traffic between the mainland and the islands: the Third Mainland Bridge, Eko Bridge, and Carter Bridge each cross the lagoon and its creeks at different points. The climate is tropical, with a long rainy season running roughly from April to October and a shorter dry, dusty harmattan stretch in the early months of the year.
Economy & Local Life
Lagos is Nigeria’s commercial and industrial hub, though Abuja, not Lagos, has held the federal capital since 1991. The Apapa and Tin Can Island ports handle much of the country’s seaborne trade, and the state hosts the headquarters of most major Nigerian banks and manufacturers, concentrated around the Marina and Victoria Island financial district. Markets in Idumota, Balogun, and Alaba draw traders from across West Africa, and the Lagos film and music industry gives the state a wide cultural footprint. Fishing and boat transport remain central to lagoon-side communities in Epe, Badagry, and Ibeju/Lekki, where canoes and ferries still move people and goods faster than the roads. Daily life across the mainland runs on the yellow danfo minibus and the newer BRT bus routes, with road traffic a constant feature of getting around. A growing technology and startup scene has taken root around Yaba, drawing young entrepreneurs and software firms to what locals now call the area’s own tech district. Lagos handles most of Nigeria’s container traffic, and the roads leading to Apapa and Tin Can Island carry a steady stream of freight trucks day and night. Informal trade underpins much of everyday life: roadside vendors, okada and keke riders, and small workshops operate alongside the formal banking and shipping sectors. Ferries run by the state waterways authority link island and mainland jetties, offering an alternative to the bridges at peak traffic hours.
FAQ
How many local government areas are in Lagos State?
Lagos State has 20 official local government areas, listed alphabetically in the table above along with their census and projected populations.
What is the capital of Lagos State?
The capital of Lagos State is Ikeja, one of the 20 LGAs and home to the state’s main government offices and airport.
What is the population of Lagos State?
Lagos State had a population of 9,113,605 at the 2006 census. The 2022 projection puts the figure at 13,491,800.
Which LGA in Lagos State has the largest population?
Alimosho is Lagos State’s largest LGA by population, with 1,319,571 people at the 2006 census. Its 2022 projection is 1,953,500.
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