BestLagos Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Metro
  • Things to do
    • Beaches
    • Cinemas
    • Clubs
    • Gyms
    • Hotels
    • Lounges
    • Resorts
    • Restaurants
No Result
View All Result
BestLagos Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
Home News

What are the three largest slums in Lagos?

by Ayomide Alausa
June 14, 2024 02:16 AM
in News
What are the three largest slums in Lagos
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Lagos is a bustling and culturally rich metropolis located in the southwestern region of Nigeria. Its beautiful coastline and vibrant lifestyle attract tourists from all over the world. 

ADVERTISEMENT

However, like any other major urban center, Lagos has its fair share of rough neighborhoods. In this blog post, we will delve into the most notorious slums in Lagos, exploring what makes them so unappealing. 

RelatedPosts

New Orleans’ Real Prison Break: How 10 Inmates Outsmarted a Jail Like Michael Scofield

Ogun Provides Traffic Guide As National Sports Festival Begins In Abeokuta

Philly Rapper LGP Qua Killed, Hip-Hop Stars Pay Tribute

Whether you’re planning a trip to this city or just curious about its darker side, continue reading to discover the truth about Lagos’ worst settlements.

The 3 biggest slums in Lagos

  • Makoko
  • Ajegunle
  • Ilaje

What are the three largest slums in Lagos?

Makoko

Makoko is one of the largest slums in Lagos, built on stilts in the Lagos Lagoon. Founded in the late 19th century by immigrants from the Egun ethnic group, Makoko comprises six distinct communities spread across land and water, namely Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe, Sogunro, and Apollo.

The community faces severe challenges such as flooding, poor sanitation, and the lack of basic amenities like clean water, healthcare, and proper sanitation facilities.

Makoko, an inner-city waterfront settlement, is located across the third mainland bridge and is estimated to have a population of over 200,000 residents.

Many of the original residents of Makoko are fishermen who were attracted from across the region, hoping for a better life in Nigeria. Life in Makoko revolves around water, with canoes serving as the primary mode of transportation. A large part of the community is built on swampy land.

Some of the residents have lived in Makoko for decades, and some were even born into the lifestyle. However, life within these homes offers little to no protection from harsh weather, and a constant atmosphere of noise and pollution.

The primary language for communication in Makoko is called ‘Egun,’ which is a blend of French and other local languages. Other languages spoken in the community include Yoruba, French, and English.

Ajegunle 

Ajegunle, also known as ‘AJ City,’ is one of the high-density slums in Lagos. It has a population of over 500,000 residents from different ethnic groups across Africa.

However, the community lacks basic amenities such as housing, potable water, good medical facilities, good roads, and a drainage system, making life difficult for its residents.

According to research, Ajegunle has a population density of 750, the highest of all slums in Lagos. Ajeromi LGA is known to be a crisis-prone area in Lagos, home to thousands of thugs and poor people.

Despite the economic challenges and overcrowding, Ajegunle is famous for its talents. The community has produced numerous music stars, footballers, and artists, including Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo, and Daddy Fresh. The gritty streets of AJ City have given birth to legends in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

The neighborhood thrives with its energetic atmosphere, diverse population, and a wealth of local businesses. However, residents still have to navigate downsides like traffic congestion, noise pollution, sanitation issues, and more.

Although Ajegunle is surrounded by lagoons, the water is not suitable for use due to contamination. The cost of living in this area is relatively cheap, but it’s not advisable to live in this part of Lagos due to its many challenges.

Ilaje

Ilaje-Otumara is a riverine community located in Lagos Mainland and is another major slum in Lagos. The sprawling settlement is situated between Akoka and Bariga, directly below the third mainland bridge.

Ilaje is divided into upper and lower classes. The upper class predominantly consists of indigenes while the lower class is categorized by outsiders.

With an estimated population of 900,000 residents, Otumara inhabitants lack basic amenities such as good roads, drainage systems, power supply, healthcare, and schools. Although there are government schools in the area, they are not affordable for the masses.

The presence of residual sewage and refuse around homes causes diseases like malaria, cholera, and typhoid.

Many describe living in Ilaje as living in the ghetto. The area is filled with notorious criminals and touts who disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.

As soon as you step into the settlement, you will immediately see wooden houses constructed on the water of Lagos Lagoon. The environment is incredibly dirty and filled with waste, making it unfit for also the residents living there.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, Lagos is a city of contrasts where wealth and poverty exist side by side. Despite being one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, Lagos is also home to some of the most destitute neighborhoods.

With a large number of its residents living in poverty with limited access to basic amenities.

Living in Lagos slums comes with a lot of challenges, including poor sanitation, overcrowding, and the lack of basic facilities like healthcare and clean water. The three worst slums in Lagos, Makoko, Ajegunle, and Ilaje, are the epitome of these challenges. 

The inhabitants of these communities face a day-to-day struggle to survive, with little to no security and a constant atmosphere of pollution. While these communities are rife with challenges, they are also home to some successful individuals in Nigeria.

Nonetheless, the stark contrast between the wealthier parts of Lagos and its slums highlights the need for the government to do more to improve the lives of the residents.

Share197Tweet123
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Top 10 Richest Black Man in the World 2024

Next Post

Best Nigerian VPN 2024

Ayomide Alausa

Ayomide Alausa

Related Posts

New Orleans inmates escape

New Orleans’ Real Prison Break: How 10 Inmates Outsmarted a Jail Like Michael Scofield

by Ayomide Alausa
May 17, 2025 10:21 AM

Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center early Friday, May 16, 2025, in a bold breakout that has sparked...

Ogun Provides Traffic Guide As National Sports Festival Begins In Abeokuta

by Taiwo Ibrahim
May 16, 2025 02:20 PM

  The Ogun State Traffic Management Agency has issued a traffic advisory for motorists as the National Sports Festival kicks...

LGP Qua

Philly Rapper LGP Qua Killed, Hip-Hop Stars Pay Tribute

by Ayomide Alausa
May 12, 2025 05:58 PM

Philadelphia rapper Qidere Johnson, known as LGP Qua, was fatally shot in the city’s Juniata Park on May 11, 2025,...

Munna Duke Youngin

Munna Duke, Youngin Shot in Chicago’s O’Block

by Ayomide Alausa
May 11, 2025 12:58 AM

Chicago’s O’Block neighborhood mourns the loss of rising drill rappers Munna Duke, 31, and Youngin, killed in a suspected drive-by...

Please login to join discussion
  • Shiloh Hendricks: Rochester Woman’s GiveSendGo Campaign Surges Past $200K After Viral Racial Slur Video

    759 shares
    Share 304 Tweet 190
  • Shiloh Hendrix’s GiveSendGo Campaign Soars to $289,967, Sets $1M Goal

    683 shares
    Share 273 Tweet 171
  • New Orleans’ Real Prison Break: How 10 Inmates Outsmarted a Jail Like Michael Scofield

    579 shares
    Share 232 Tweet 145
  • Munna Duke, Youngin Shot in Chicago’s O’Block

    549 shares
    Share 220 Tweet 137
  • Druski Denies Pregnancy in Bambi Baby Scan Video, ‘Kid Ain’t Mine’

    544 shares
    Share 218 Tweet 136
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2025 BestLagos Nigeria. All rights reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Metro
  • Things to do
    • Beaches
    • Cinemas
    • Clubs
    • Gyms
    • Hotels
    • Lounges
    • Resorts
    • Restaurants

© 2025 BestLagos Nigeria. All rights reserved