URBANIZATION: GROWTH, TRANSITION, AND PROBLEMS OF A PREMIER WEST AFRICAN CITY (LAGOS, NIGERIA)

The fast growing pol'al capitals of independent African states also share the invariably important distinction of being the nations' econ nerve-centers. From these derive their Ur premiership & importance. As an example, the trend, features & problems of the development of Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, are analyzed. Apart from statistics from a variety of sources, extensive use is made of the censuses held between 1901 & 1962 & of data drawn from the 1964 demographic sample survey of 596 households of married persons. These were systematically sampled from a detailed & reliable list of dwellings kept by the Lagos City Council. After outlining the city's areal & demographic expansion, an attempt is made to explain how natural increase & esp post-WWII internal migration interacted to make the growth possible. The results of growth are then illustrated by reference to the rejuvenating age structure, high masculinity ratio, religious diversity, literacy & educ'al advancement, the emergence of an industr & commercial community as well as greater involvement with a money economy, technology & foreign culture. Other unwelcome concomitants of growth, including poor housing, congestion, exorbitant rent, unemployment, & inadequate transportation, are examined. AA.