Georgist Conference in O'Fallon, Part Fifteen

Back on July 28, we heard a presentation by Gordon Abiama and Lindy Davies, "A Tale of Two Megacities: Lagos, Nigeria, and New York City." First, Gordon Abiama presented pictures of Lagos and its environs, while telling us a bit about his country, and Lagos in particular. Lagos has an estimated population of twenty-one million. Yoruba culture. Wealth and poverty -- there are millions of poor people, and some very rich people in Lagos. Nigeria's economic melting pot. Mansions, shacks, rags, and designer clothes. There are two urban islands in Lagos Lagoon: Victoria Island and Lagos Island. It became a British colony in 1861.

Lagos was the capital of Nigeria until 1991, when the Federal District of Abujan became the capital.

Insecure land tenure leads to slum development.

Tourism and culture. The Eyo carnival.

Luxury bungalows in Ikoyi.

High-rise luxury apartments on Victoria Island. Bulldozers demolished a slum, and drove people out; the friends of politicians got the land, and got richer.

Image of a typical Lagos market.