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The
geo-political set-up of Nigeria was restructured
in 1967 with the advent of 12 States from the
hitherto four regions and the Lagos Colony. With
this set-up, Lagos State was created with a land
mass of 3, 577 Square kilometers having a boundary
adjustment that emboweled areas of Ikeja, Agege,
Badagry, Mushin, Epe and Ikorodu which were formerly
administered by the old Western Region in addition
to the Lagos Colony which had been governed as
a Regional Authority by the Federal Ministry of
Lagos Affairs.The
administration of the State actually took off
on April 1, 1968 with Lagos as the Capital of
the State thereby subjecting the city to serve
both the State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria
as its administrative Headquarters (Capital).
The city of Lagos was relieved of the role of
being the capital of Nigeria with the creation
of a new Federal Capital Territory in Abuja in
1976 and the subsequent movement of the Federal
Government to Abuja in 1976 and the subsequent
movement of the Federal Government to Abuja on
December 12, 1991. The Lagos Capital was then
moved to Ikeja.
The State is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean in
the South, Republic of Benin in the West, Ogun
State in the North and East. About 45% of the
area is made up of coastal (riverine) terrain,
while the remaining 55% is sandwiched in between
rivers, lagoons and swamps (gorges).
The State has a population of about 5.73 million
(by the 1991 demographic census). This makes it
the most populous state yet and the smallest in
land area to other states in Nigeria.
The people are yorubas, mainly of Awori, Ogun
and Ijebu sects, the main cultural festivals are
predominantly the Eyo and Boat regatta, with the
liberal practice of religions, where Islam and
Christianity are dominant.
The democratic system of the tio homogeneity of
the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary
under the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria operates in the state. There are 5
divisions, and 20 local government areas in the
political set-up of the state for easy governance.
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