Capital of Lagos State — Ikeja

Long before European contact, the area now known as Lagos was settled by the Awori people, a subgroup of the Yoruba, who established fishing and farming communities on the coastal lagoon islands around the 13th century. The most significant early settlement was Eko, established on Lagos Island, which became the nucleus of what would grow into Nigeria's largest city. The Awori were joined by the

First governor: Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson

Read full Lagos State history →

Lagos contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s GDP. Key sectors include Fintech, Banking, Oil and Gas, Maritime trade, Manufacturing, Real Estate, and Entertainment (Nollywood and Afrobeat industries).

As capital, Ikeja concentrates civil service employment and administrative services that support the wider Lagos economy.

Ikeja is the political and administrative centre of Lagos State in Nigeria’s South West zone. Government House, the State House of Assembly and core ministries are based here.

Lagos State, known as “Centre of Excellence”, relies on Ikeja as its primary seat of government.

For census totals, growth rates and LGA breakdowns, use the dedicated Lagos population page — this capital page focuses on the seat of government, not state-wide demographics.