New
New
Year 8

Lagos: the largest city in Nigeria

I can describe ways in which Lagos has changed over time and identify opportunities of living and working in this global city.

New
New
Year 8

Lagos: the largest city in Nigeria

I can describe ways in which Lagos has changed over time and identify opportunities of living and working in this global city.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The population of Lagos is growing rapidly – millions of people have moved to the city from rural areas.
  2. Lagos is Nigeria's economic hub and a port city.
  3. The different industries in Lagos provide job opportunities and higher average incomes.
  4. Urbanisation in Lagos has brought improvements in infrastructure and services.
  5. Lagos is a major cultural hub that is known for its music, arts and entertainment industries.

Keywords

  • Transatlantic Slave Trade - the movement of enslaved people across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa

  • Urbanisation - the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities rather than the countryside

  • Transnational corporations - large businesses that operate in many different countries globally

  • Colonial legacy - the lasting impacts and influences of colonialism on former colonies

  • Globalisation - the links and interdependencies between countries all around the world

Common misconception

Lagos is the capital of Nigeria.

Lagos became the capital of an independent Nigeria in 1960 but was replaced by Abuja in 1991.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Lagos: the largest city in Nigeria, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Investigate other push and pull factors that encourage rural to urban migration in Nigeria. Make comparisons with the UK and other parts of the world.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What continent is Nigeria part of?
Asia
Europe
Correct answer: Africa
South America
Q2.
Which city is the largest in Nigeria?
Abuja
Correct answer: Lagos
Kano
Ibadan
Q3.
What is Nigeria’s capital city?
Lagos
Correct answer: Abuja
Port Harcourt
Jos
Q4.
Nigeria is rich in which natural resource?
Gold
Timber
Correct answer: Oil
Coal
Q5.
What is one reason Nigeria is described as a 'superpower' in Africa?
It is the largest country in Africa
It has the highest mountain in Africa
Correct answer: It has a large economy and population
It has the most deserts
Q6.
What is the approximate population of Nigeria (2020s)?
50 million
100 million
30 million
Correct answer: Over 200 million

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
What is one of the main reasons Lagos's population is growing?
More people are moving to rural areas
Migration from other African countries only
Correct answer: People are moving from the countryside to the city
It has a colder climate
Q2.
What role does Lagos play in Nigeria’s economy?
It’s mostly used for farming
Correct answer: It’s the country’s economic hub
It’s a quiet fishing village
It has no international trade
Q3.
What is one cultural industry Lagos is famous for?
Ski resorts
Furniture making
Correct answer: Music and entertainment
Whale watching
Q4.
Match the lesson keywords and their definitions.
Correct Answer:Urbanisation,Increase in people living in cities rather than rural areas

Increase in people living in cities rather than rural areas

Correct Answer:Globalisation,Links between countries through trade, ideas, and culture

Links between countries through trade, ideas, and culture

Correct Answer:Transnational Corporation,Large businesses operating in many countries

Large businesses operating in many countries

Correct Answer:Colonial legacy,Lasting effects of being ruled by another country

Lasting effects of being ruled by another country

Correct Answer:Transatlantic Slave Trade,Movement of enslaved people across the Atlantic

Movement of enslaved people across the Atlantic

Q5.
Which of the following is not a reason why Lagos is economically important?
It is a port city
Correct answer: It is the capital of Nigeria
It is an industrial hub
It has a large and growing workforce