Nigeria is the African country with the largest population, counting over 230 million people. As of 2024, the largest city in Nigeria was Lagos, which is also the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of population size. The city counts more than nine million inhabitants, whereas Kano, the second most populous city, registers around 3.6 million inhabitants. Lagos is the main financial, cultural, and educational center in the country. Where Africa’s urban population is booming The metropolitan area of Lagos is also among the largest urban agglomerations in the world. Besides Lagos, another most populated citiy in Africa is Cairo, in Egypt. However, Africa’s urban population is booming in other relatively smaller cities. For instance, the population of Bujumbura, in Burundi, could grow by 123 percent between 2020 and 2035, making it the fastest growing city in Africa and likely in the world. Similarly, Zinder, in Niger, could reach over one million inhabitants by 2035, the second fastest growing city. Demographic urban shift More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. In the next decades, this will increase, especially in Africa and Asia. In 2020, over 80 percent of the population in Northern America was living in urban areas, the highest share in the world. In Africa, the degree of urbanization was about 40 percent, the lowest among all continents. Meeting the needs of a fast-growing population can be a challenge, especially in low-income countries. Therefore, there will be a growing necessity to implement policies to sustainably improve people’s lives in rural and urban areas.

Lagos is Nigeria's largest city and commercial capital. Lagos is among the top ten of the world's fastest-growing cities and urban areas. The megacity has the fourth highest GDP in Africa and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports of the continent.

The goal is to determine the population growth rate from 2007 to 2024, also to build a machine learning model to predict the population in 2025

In 2022, roughly 15.4 million people lived in Lagos, Nigeria, making it the largest city in Africa. Lagos's population has been gradually increasing, with thousands of people flocking every year to the city, searching for job opportunities and a better life. By 2035, 24.4 million might be dwelling in the city.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Lagos, Nigeria metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Lagos is a city with a population of 2,529,859 and lies in the 5000 and above (Very High) density category. The city has an area of 305.05 km² with a total green space of 14% and a tree coverage of 2%. The city lies in the Torrid Zone of the world. The city has improved its Urban green space per capita when compared to Global Average and also improved its Urban green space per capita when compared to previous year. Within Africa, 30.8% of cities are ranked lower than Lagos.

Cairo, in Egypt, ranked as the most populated city in Africa as of 2025, with an estimated population of over 23 million inhabitants living in Greater Cairo. Kinshasa, in Congo, and Lagos, in Nigeria, followed with some 17.8 million and 17.2 million, respectively. Among the 15 largest cities in the continent, another one, Kano, was located in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. Population density trends in Africa As of 2023, Africa exhibited a population density of 50.1 individuals per square kilometer. Since 2000, the population density across the continent has been experiencing a consistent annual increment. Projections indicated that the average population residing within each square kilometer would rise to approximately 58.5 by the year 2030. Moreover, Mauritius stood out as the African nation with the most elevated population density, exceeding 627 individuals per square kilometre. Mauritius possesses one of the most compact territories on the continent, a factor that significantly influences its high population density. Urbanization dynamics in Africa The urbanization rate in Africa was anticipated to reach close to 45.5 percent in 2024. Urbanization across the continent has consistently risen since 2000, with urban areas accommodating only around a third of the total population then. This trajectory is projected to continue its rise in the years ahead. Nevertheless, the distribution between rural and urban populations shows remarkable diversity throughout the continent. In 2024, Gabon and Libya stood out as Africa’s most urbanized nations, each surpassing 80 percent urbanization. As of the same year, Africa's population was estimated to expand by 2.27 percent compared to the preceding year. Since 2000, the population growth rate across the continent has consistently exceeded 2.3 percent, reaching its pinnacle at 2.63 percent in 2013. Although the growth rate has experienced a deceleration, Africa's population will persistently grow significantly in the forthcoming years.

As of July 2024, Nigeria's population was estimated at around 229.5 million. Between 1965 and 2024, the number of people living in Nigeria increased at an average rate of over two percent. In 2024, the population grew by 2.42 percent compared to the previous year. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. By extension, the African continent records the highest growth rate in the world. Africa's most populous country Nigeria was the most populous country in Africa as of 2023. As of 2022, Lagos held the distinction of being Nigeria's biggest urban center, a status it also retained as the largest city across all of sub-Saharan Africa. The city boasted an excess of 17.5 million residents. Notably, Lagos assumed the pivotal roles of the nation's primary financial hub, cultural epicenter, and educational nucleus. Furthermore, Lagos was one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world. Nigeria's youthful population In Nigeria, a significant 50 percent of the populace is under the age of 19. The most prominent age bracket is constituted by those up to four years old: comprising 8.3 percent of men and eight percent of women as of 2021. Nigeria boasts one of the world's most youthful populations. On a broader scale, both within Africa and internationally, Niger maintains the lowest median age record. Nigeria secures the 20th position in global rankings. Furthermore, the life expectancy in Nigeria is an average of 62 years old. However, this is different between men and women. The main causes of death have been neonatal disorders, malaria, and diarrheal diseases.

Populated place − place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population (city, settlement, town, village) and by definition has no legal boundaries

The Egyptian area of Cairo‑Alexandria‑Suhag was the largest city cluster in Africa as of 2021. Considering the over 1,000 cities that are part of the cluster (cities with over ****** residents that are within 100 kilometers' distance, adding up to a population of over *** million), the area counted around ** million inhabitants. The clusters of Lagos‑Ibadan‑Cotonou and Onitsha‑Uyo‑Port Harcourt in Nigeria followed, accounting for approximately ** million and ** million residents, respectively.

The LAGOS-US HUMAN v1 data package is an extension module of the LAGOS-US research platform that includes data characterizing human population (population count, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic information), urbanization, and lake access of 479,950 lakes larger than or equal to 1 ha in the conterminous U.S. (48 states plus the District of Columbia). This data module contains four data tables linked through the unique lake identifier for the LAGOS-US research platform, lagoslakeid. Human population characteristics (race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors) were derived from U.S. census data for 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. Lakes were classified as urban or not using two different classifications: one based on the ‘Developed’ land category in the National Land Cover Dataset; and another based on the 2020 Census Urban Areas category. Metrics for lake access were developed from national datasets on public boat launches, transportation, and public lands. LAGOS-US HUMAN v1 provides a link between lake data and human contexts, facilitating interdisciplinary research in limnology, urban ecology, environmental justice, and conservation. To facilitate such studies, users are encouraged to use the other three core data modules of the LAGOS-US platform: LOCUS (location, identifiers, and physical characteristics of lakes and their watersheds); GEO (geospatial ecological context at multiple spatial and temporal scales); and LIMNO (in situ lake physical, chemical, and biological measurements through time) that are each found in their own data packages.

This statistic shows the biggest cities in Nigeria in 1991. In 1991, approximately *** million people lived in Lagos, making it the biggest city in Nigeria. According to the Lagos Bureau of Statistics, the 2011 population of Lagos State was **** million.

Lagos Built-Up Areas
This dataset falls under the category Traffic Generating Parameters Land Cover.
It contains the following data: Populated place place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population (city, settlement, town, village) and by definition has no legal boundaries
This dataset was scouted on 02/07/2022 as part of a data sourcing project conducted by TUMI. License information might be outdated: Check original source for current licensing. The data can be accessed using the following URL / API Endpoint: https://geoserver.grid3.gov.ng/geoserver/GRIDMaster/ows?service=WFS&version=1.0.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=GRIDMaster:u_fe_builtup_areas&outputFormat=application%2Fjson&CQL_FILTER=state_code%3D%27LA%27 URL for data access and license information. Please note: This link leads to an external resource. If you experience any issues with its availability, please try again later.

The metropolitan area of Lagos in Nigeria counted over ********** middle-class people as of 2018. This was the highest number in Africa. Addis Ababa in Ethiopia followed with *********** individuals belonging to the middle class. The middle-class population included people who had a disposable income of over ** percent of their salary, were employed, had a business activity, or were in education, and had at least a secondary school degree.

Abstract

The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) was implemented by the National Population Commission (NPC). Data collection took place from 14 August to 29 December 2018. ICF provided technical assistance through The DHS Program, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and offers financial support and technical assistance for population and health surveys in countries worldwide. Other agencies and organisations that facilitated the successful implementation of the survey through technical or financial support were the Global Fund, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

SURVEY OBJECTIVES The primary objective of the 2018 NDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the NDHS collected information on fertility, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of women and children, maternal and child health, adult and childhood mortality, women’s empowerment, domestic violence, female genital cutting, prevalence of malaria, awareness and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), disability, and other health-related issues such as smoking.

The information collected through the 2018 NDHS is intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in evaluating and designing programmes and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population. The 2018 NDHS also provides indicators relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Nigeria.

Geographic coverage

national coverage

Analysis unit

Households Women Men children

Universe

the survey covered all household members (permanent residents and visitor), all Women aged 15-49 years, all children 0-59 months and all men aged 15-59 years in one-third of households

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sampling frame used for the 2018 NDHS is the Population and Housing Census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (NPHC), which was conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission. Administratively, Nigeria is divided into states. Each state is subdivided into local government areas (LGAs), and each LGA is divided into wards. In addition to these administrative units, during the 2006 NPHC each locality was subdivided into convenient areas called census enumeration areas (EAs). The primary sampling unit (PSU), referred to as a cluster for the 2018 NDHS, is defined on the basis of EAs from the 2006 EA census frame. Although the 2006 NPHC did not provide the number of households and population for each EA, population estimates were published for 774 LGAs. A combination of information from cartographic material demarcating each EA and the LGA population estimates from the census was used to identify the list of EAs, estimate the number of households, and distinguish EAs as urban or rural for the survey sample frame. Before sample selection, all localities were classified separately into urban and rural areas based on predetermined minimum sizes of urban areas (cut-off points); consistent with the official definition in 2017, any locality with more than a minimum population size of 20,000 was classified as urban.

The sample for the 2018 NDHS was a stratified sample selected in two stages. Stratification was achieved by separating each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory into urban and rural areas. In total, 74 sampling strata were identified. Samples were selected independently in every stratum via a two-stage selection. Implicit stratifications were achieved at each of the lower administrative levels by sorting the sampling frame before sample selection according to administrative order and by using a probability proportional to size selection during the first sampling stage.

In the first stage, 1,400 EAs were selected with probability proportional to EA size. EA size was the number of households in the EA. A household listing operation was carried out in all selected EAs, and the resulting lists of households served as a sampling frame for the selection of households in the second stage. In the second stage’s selection, a fixed number of 30 households was selected in every cluster through equal probability systematic sampling, resulting in a total sample size of approximately 42,000 households. The household listing was carried out using tablets, and random selection of households was carried out through computer programming. The interviewers conducted interviews only in the pre-selected households. To prevent bias, no replacements and no changes of the pre-selected households were allowed in the implementing stages.

Due to the non-proportional allocation of the sample to the different states and the possible differences in response rates, sampling weights were calculated, added to the data file, and applied so that the results would be representative at the national level as well as the domain level. Because the 2018 NDHS sample was a two-stage stratified cluster sample selected from the sampling frame, sampling weights were calculated based on sampling probabilities separately for each sampling stage and for each cluster.

The survey was successfully carried out in 1,389 clusters after 11 clusters with deteriorating law-and-order situations during fieldwork were dropped. These areas were in Zamfara (4 clusters), Lagos (1 cluster), Katsina (2 clusters), Sokoto (3 clusters), and Borno (1 cluster). In the case of Borno, 11 of the 27 LGAs were dropped due to high insecurity, and therefore the results might not represent the entire state. Please refer to Appendix A in the final report for details.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

Four questionnaires were used for the 2018 NDHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Woman’s Questionnaire, the Man’s Questionnaire, and the Biomarker Questionnaire. The questionnaires, based on The DHS Program’s standard Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-7) questionnaires, were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to Nigeria. Comments were solicited from various stakeholders representing government ministries and agencies, nongovernmental organisations, and international donors. In addition, information about the fieldworkers for the survey was collected through a self-administered Fieldworker Questionnaire.

The survey protocol was reviewed and approved by the National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria (NHREC) and the ICF Institutional Review Board. After all questionnaires were finalised in English, they were translated into Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. The 2018 NDHS used computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) for data collection.

The Household Questionnaire listed all members of and visitors to selected households. Basic demographic information was collected on each person listed, including age, sex, marital status, education, and relationship to the head of the household. For children under age 18, survival status of parents was determined. Data on age, sex, and marital status of household members were used to identify women and men who were eligible for individual interviews. The Household Questionnaire also collected information on characteristics of the household’s dwelling unit, such as source of drinking water; type of toilet facilities; materials used for flooring, external walls, and roofing; ownership of various durable goods; and ownership of mosquito nets. In addition, data were gathered on salt testing and disability.

The Woman’s Questionnaire was used to collect information from all eligible women age 15-49. These women were asked questions on the following topics: - Background characteristics (including age, education, and media exposure) - Birth history and child mortality - Knowledge, use, and source of family planning methods - Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care - Vaccinations and childhood illnesses - Breastfeeding and infant feeding practices - Women’s minimum dietary diversity - Marriage and sexual activity - Fertility preferences (including desire for more children and ideal number of children) - Women’s work and husbands’ background characteristics - Knowledge, awareness, and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) - Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour related to other health issues (e.g., smoking) - Female genital cutting - Fistula - Adult and maternal mortality - Domestic violence

The Man’s Questionnaire was administered to all men age 15-59 in the subsample of households selected for the men’s survey. The Man’s Questionnaire collected much of the same information as the Woman’s Questionnaire but was shorter because it did not contain a detailed reproductive history or questions on maternal and child health.

The Biomarker Questionnaire was used to record the results of anthropometry measurements and other biomarkers for women and children. This questionnaire was administered only to the subsample selected for the men’s survey. All children age 0-59 months and all women age 15-49 were eligible for height and weight measurements. Women age 15-49 were also eligible for haemoglobin testing. Children age 6-59 months were also eligible for haemoglobin testing, malaria testing, and genotype testing for sickle cell disease.

The purpose of the Fieldworker Questionnaire was to collect basic background information on the people who were collecting data in the field, including the team supervisor, field editor, interviewers, and the biomarker team

The fastest growing city in Africa is Bujumbura, in Burundi. In 2020, this city had an estimated population of about one million. By 2035, the population of Bujumbura could increase by 123 percent and reach roughly 2.3 million people. Zinder, in Niger, had about half million inhabitants in 2020 and, with a growth rate of 118 percent, is Africa's second fastest growing city. In 2035, Zinder could have over one million residents.

As of 2021, the largest city in whole Africa is Lagos, in Nigeria. Other highly populated cities in Africa are Kinshasa, in Congo, Cairo, and Alexandria, both located in Egypt.

Nigeria (Kaduna & Lagos) Round 2 Service Delivery Point (SQ) survey used a three-stage cluster design, with urban-rural as strata in Kaduna. A sample of 60 clusters of enumeration areas (EAs) in Kaduna and 51 clusters enumeration areas (EAs) in the urban stratum in Lagos were drawn from the National Population Commission’s master sampling frame along with a list of EAs contiguous to the index EA. The EAs in Nigeria are usually small, with approximately 48 households on average. To create clusters with a minimum of 200 households, each index EA was listed and mapped. If there were fewer than 200 households identified, the next EA in the list of contiguous EAs was listed and mapped in its entirety. If the total number of households was still less than 200, the entirety of the third EA was listed and so on. Each cluster of EAs serves as the primary sampling unit from which 35 households (40 in Lagos) and up to 3 private health facilities were randomly selected. Public facilities were included if a selected EA fell within the catchment area. Private facilities were included if they fell within the boundaries of the EA. The final sample included 154 SDPs in Kaduna and 123 SDPs in Lagos. Data collection was conducted between August and September 2015. More information about this dataset can be found in the corresponding codebook, accessible at https://doi.org/10.34976/vfbp-bz42

Nigeria's population structure reveals a youthful demographic, with those aged **** years comprising the largest age group compared to the total of those between the ages of 30 and 84 years. The majority of the young population are men. This demographic trend has significant implications for Nigeria's future, particularly in terms of economic development and social services. It has the potential to offer a large future workforce that could drive economic growth if it is adequately educated and employed. However, without sufficient investment in health, education, and job creation, this youth bulge could strain public resources and fuel unemployment and social unrest. Poverty challenges amid population growth Despite Nigeria's large youth population, the country faces substantial poverty challenges. This is largely due to its youth unemployment rate, which goes contrary to the expectation that the country’s large labor force would contribute to employment and the economic development of the nation. In 2022, an estimated **** million Nigerians lived in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than **** U.S. dollars a day. This number is expected to rise in the coming years, indicating a growing disparity between population growth and economic opportunities. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where **** million people live in extreme poverty compared to *** million in urban centers. Linguistic and ethnic diversity Nigeria's population is characterized by significant linguistic and ethnic diversity. Hausa is the most commonly spoken language at home, used by ** percent of the population, followed by Yoruba at ** percent and Igbo at ** percent. This linguistic variety reflects Nigeria's complex ethnic composition, with major groups including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Fulani. English, the country's official language, serves as the primary language of instruction in schools, promoting literacy across diverse communities.

Nigeria Power Market size was valued at USD 11.53 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 22.8 Billion by 2031 growing at a CAGR of 8.93% from 2024 to 2031.

Key Market Drivers:

Rapid Population Expansion and Urbanization: Nigeria's rapidly rising population, with an annual urban growth rate of 4.1% according to the World Bank, drives up electricity demand. As of 2022, more than 52% of Nigerians live in cities, with cities like Lagos demanding 6,000MW of power per day for its 20 million population, emphasizing the need for infrastructural upgrades.

Nigeria online loan and FinTech credit market valued at USD 1.5 billion, driven by digital adoption, unbanked population, and quick credit demand, with growth in key cities like Lagos.

In 2024, Gabon had the highest urbanization rate in Africa, with over 90 percent of the population living in urban areas. Libya and Djibouti followed at around 82 percent and 79 percent, respectively. On the other hand, many countries on the continent had the majority of the population residing in rural areas. As of 2023, urbanization in Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, and Burundi was below 20 percent. A growing urban population On average, the African urbanization rate stood at approximately 45 percent in 2023. The number of people living in urban areas has been growing steadily since 2000 and is forecast to increase further in the coming years. The urbanization process is particularly rapid in Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania. In these countries, the urban population grew by over five percent in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, in 39 countries on the continent, the urban population growth was over three percent. The most populous cities in Africa Africa’s largest city is Lagos in Nigeria, counting around nine million people. It is followed by Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cairo in Egypt, each with over seven million inhabitants. Moreover, other cities on the continent are growing rapidly. The population of Bujumbura in Burundi will increase by 123 percent between 2020 and 2035, registering the highest growth rate on the continent. Other fast-growing cities are Zinder in Niger, Kampala in Uganda, and Kabinda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.