Helena Joyce
Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, but this rapid growth has had a downside: high rates of illness and premature death caused by unhealthy air. Lagos is notorious for its large population, high concentration of motor vehicles, and industrial pollution. It is estimated that at least 30,000 people die every year in Lagos due to pollution, with children under five being the most affected. While it is difficult to definitively state whether Lagos is the most polluted city in the world, it is clear that the city is facing a significant pollution problem that is having a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of its residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Lagos the most polluted city in the world? | No. While Lagos is one of the most polluted cities in the world, Onitsha, another city in Nigeria, is labeled the world's most polluted city by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016. |
| Population of Lagos | 24 million |
| Lagos as a percentage of Nigeria's population | 12% |
| Annual urban growth rate | 5.8% |
| GDP of Lagos | $70 billion |
| GDP of Lagos as a percentage of Nigeria's GDP | 26.7% |
| Number of premature deaths due to air pollution in Lagos in 2018 | 11,200 |
| Number of premature deaths due to air pollution in Lagos in 2020 | 30,000 |
| Percentage of premature deaths due to air pollution in Lagos in 2018 that were children under five | 60% |
| Percentage of total deaths worldwide in 2017 that were caused by exposure to ambient PM 2.5 | 9% |
| Average number of hours per week that commuters spend in traffic in Lagos | 30 hours |
| Length of intra-city rail per million people in Lagos | 1.3 km |
| Number of diesel trucks that seek access to the ports of Apapa and Tin Can or park around them every day | 5,000 |
| PM2.5 concentration recorded in Odogunyan, an industrial and commercial zone in Lagos, over 24 hours | 1,770 μg/m3 |
| Percentage of households in Lagos that were below the national poverty line in 2018-2019 | 4.5% |
| Percentage of residents in Lagos that work in the informal sector | 65% |
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What You'll Learn
- Lagos is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities
- The city's pollution is caused by traffic, industrial emissions, and generators
- Lagos is Nigeria's economic hub
- Air pollution is a silent killer in Lagos, causing illness and premature deaths
- The World Bank is working with Lagos to improve air quality
Lagos is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities
Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, with a population of over 15 million. It is the continent's third fastest-growing city and is projected to become the world's largest by the end of the century if its current growth rate persists. Lagos is the 21st largest city in the world and is the largest in West Africa. It is also the financial hub of Nigeria, contributing 26.7% of the country's GDP.
Lagos's rapid growth has had a downside, with high rates of illness and premature death caused by unhealthy air. The city is notorious for its large population, high concentration of motor vehicles, and industrial pollution. It is estimated that at least 30,000 people die every year in Lagos due to pollution, with children under five being the most affected. The major sources of pollution in Lagos are road transport, industrial emissions, and generators, aggravated by open burning and the illegal dumping of waste.
The Nigerian government has taken some steps to limit emissions, such as revising sulphur fuel standards for petrol and diesel and implementing tighter emissions restrictions on imported vehicles. However, significantly more will be required to reduce projected increases in harmful air pollution as the city continues to grow. The World Bank is also working with the authorities in Lagos to support the city's efforts to improve air quality through initiatives like the Pollution Management and Environment Health Program (PMEH).
The private sector has also played a role in addressing pollution in Lagos. For example, WeCyclers has created a business model where they pay locals to turn in their trash, aiming to create a circular economy for single-use plastics. Additionally, the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line project is anticipated to encourage a significant shift towards public transport, which may help reduce air pollution caused by road transport.
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The city's pollution is caused by traffic, industrial emissions, and generators
Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities. However, this rapid growth has had adverse effects, including high rates of illness and premature death caused by unhealthy air. A World Bank study estimated that illness and premature deaths due to air pollution caused losses of $2.1 billion in 2018, representing about 2.1% of Lagos State's GDP.
Lagos's pollution is caused by several factors, including traffic, industrial emissions, and generators. The city's road transport is a key source of PM2.5, with the number of vehicles in Lagos having almost quadrupled in the last decade, and limited transportation options available. The high volume of old cars with high-sulfur content in imported diesel and gasoline fuel contributes significantly to the city's air pollution. In addition, the city's short public transport rail system, at 1.3km per million people, results in commuters spending an average of 30 hours per week in traffic.
Industrial emissions are the second-largest source of PM2.5 in Lagos. Industrial and commercial zones like Apapa, Idumota, Ikeja, and Odogunyan, where cement, chemicals, furniture, refinery, and steel industries are concentrated, have been found to have high pollution levels. Metallic smelting companies contribute 9% of all emissions in the city. Sea salt, dust, and shipping emissions also contribute to the city's pollution levels.
Generators are another significant source of PM2.5 in Lagos. Nigeria's unreliable power sector has led to a heavy dependence on backup generators. Large diesel generators are used in institutional, commercial, and housing sites, while small generators are prevalent in households and small businesses. The poor combustion of gasoline and lubricating oil used in these generators pollutes the air and causes significant health damage due to their proximity to people.
The government has taken some steps to address these issues, such as revising sulfur fuel standards and mandating local refineries to upgrade their operations to meet new requirements. In addition, the new Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line project is expected to encourage a shift towards public transport. However, significantly more action is required to reduce the projected increases in harmful air pollution in Lagos.
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Lagos is Nigeria's economic hub
Lagos, Nigeria's economic powerhouse, is a bustling metropolis with a population of over 20 million people. As the country's former capital, Lagos remains the largest city in Nigeria and the most populous urban area on the African continent. With its strategic location on the West African coast, Lagos has become a major African financial centre, contributing significantly to the Nigerian economy. The city generates around 30-35% of the country's GDP, despite housing only 10% of its population.
Lagos is a hub for commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion. It boasts one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent, further enhancing its economic significance. The city is also home to numerous commercial banks, financial institutions, and major corporations, with most of these businesses operating in the central business district.
Lagos has a diverse economy, ranging from finance and banking to technology and manufacturing. The city is known for its high concentration of tech startups, attracting investors from various sectors, including high-tech, oil and gas, and manufacturing. This diversification is further bolstered by the Lekki Free Zone, which offers tax reliefs and customs duty exemptions, making it an attractive destination for both international and local investors.
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport, formerly known as Lagos Airport, has played a pivotal role in Lagos' economic development. As the main arrival point for 80% of flights to West Africa, the airport has increased the city's accessibility and connectivity, contributing to its status as a major industrial powerhouse.
While Lagos faces challenges such as pollution and income inequality, it remains a vibrant and dynamic economic hub. The city's rapid growth and development continue to shape not only Nigeria's economy but also its influence on the African continent and beyond.
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Air pollution is a silent killer in Lagos, causing illness and premature deaths
Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities. However, this rapid growth has had a downside: high rates of illness and premature death caused by unhealthy air. A recent World Bank study, the Cost of Air Pollution in Lagos, estimates that illness and premature deaths due to ambient air pollution caused losses of $2.1 billion in 2018, representing about 2.1% of Lagos State's GDP. That year, it caused an estimated 11,200 premature deaths, the highest in West Africa. Children under five were the most affected, accounting for 60% of total deaths, while adults suffered from heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Lagos is notorious for its large population, high concentration of motor vehicles, and industrial pollution. It is the largest city in West Africa and the 21st largest in the world, with an estimated 20 million people living in less than 100 square kilometres. The result is a suffocating mix of air pollution, single-use plastic pollution, and solid waste in the city's streets, causing respiratory problems, flooding, and other illnesses among locals. It is estimated that at least 30,000 people die every year in Lagos due to pollution, with air pollution being a major contributor.
The major sources of pollution in Lagos are road transport, industrial emissions, and generators aggravated by open burning and illegal dumping of waste. Most vehicles are over 15 years old, using old emission technologies and fuel with high sulfur levels: 200 times higher than US standards for diesel. In 2015, the government banned the import of small diesel generators due to concerns over rising air pollution, but the annual value of Nigeria's generator market continues to rise. About half of Lagos's total energy demand is met by generators, which emit harmful pollutants into the air.
Biomass fuels account for around a fifth of Lagos's PM 2.5 concentrations, with solid fuels still widely used, particularly by lower-income households. Around 50% of household energy demand is currently met by inefficient diesel and gasoline generators. In addition, the two major ports of Apapa and Tin Can see about 5,000 highly polluting diesel trucks daily, causing heavy congestion and pollution.
The government has taken some steps to limit emissions, such as revising sulphur fuel standards and mandating local refineries to upgrade their operations to meet new requirements. All imported vehicles must now comply with tighter emissions restrictions, and vehicles over ten years old will be forbidden. However, significantly more will be required to reduce projected increases in harmful air pollution. The new Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line project, scheduled to open in 2023, is anticipated to encourage a significant shift to public transport.
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The World Bank is working with Lagos to improve air quality
Lagos, a coastal city of about 20 million people, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city exemplifies how air quality is upending Africa's megacities' growth, health, and livelihoods. Air pollution in Lagos is between 6 and 10 times the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) when measured as PM2.5 concentration.
The World Bank is working with the Lagos government to prepare an air pollution control plan based on deeper research on key emission sources and implementation costs. The World Bank's Pollution Management and Environment Health Program (PMEH) offers opportunities for collaboration with the Lagos State Government to create incentives and policies that will improve the air quality. The PMEH study recommends a multi-sectoral strategy to improve air quality, including actions for the short-term (within one year) and medium-term (within three years).
The World Bank has also installed an Air Quality Monitoring Station in Ikorodu, a sub-urban area in Lagos State populated with many industrial steel plants and a solid waste dumpsite. The monitoring station has provided a scientific basis to develop an air quality management plan for the Lagos State Government. The World Bank is also working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to create a recycling market for plastic waste.
The Lagos government is making some progress in initiating laws that still need to be implemented. In 2017, standards for sulfur content in fuel were lowered to reduce emissions: from 3,000 parts per million (ppm) to 50 ppm for diesel; and from 1,000 ppm to 150 ppm for gasoline. The World Bank study estimates that exposure to PM2.5 pollution in Lagos is responsible for 30,000 premature deaths, half of them children under one year old, and causes up to 350,000 lower acute respiratory diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
Lagos is one of the most polluted cities in the world, but it is not the most polluted. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2016, Onitsha, another city in Nigeria, is the world's most polluted city for air quality.
The major sources of pollution in Lagos are road transport, industrial emissions, generators, open burning, and illegal dumping of waste.
Air pollution in Lagos has severe health impacts on the residents, causing an estimated 30,000 premature deaths annually, with more than half being infants under one year old. Children under five are the most affected, accounting for 60% of total deaths. Adults suffer from heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
