Lagos island's coastline has been through dramatic changes since the 1850s. This series on the history of the coastline looks to the hidden and long forgotten parts of the island: Alakoro Island and Ẹlẹgbata Creek in the west, and the large lagoons of the northeast: Isalẹgangan and Idumagbo.
Evidence of Lagos's old shores can be found in historical maps; and ArcGIS can help us find the past beneath the present city. Follow the links below to find out what lies beneath contemporary Lagos.
William Lawson's maps of Lagos from 1885 shows Alakoro as a floating island, but in reality, it was a low lying part of the city, covered by swampy terrain. But by 1908, it was gone...
Lagos history is rich and mutilayered. Check back for frequent updates.
For a few years, Lagosians could depend on regular tram service to get them conveniently between Ereko and faji markets, or even from the post office to PWD stores. What happened?
From Reclamation Road to Agarawu, the streets of the city are filled with stories about the past.
Processions have an important role in the history of the city. Many of these have a religious bent, whether to do with Christianity, or even in honor of traditional religion such as the egungun.
