Until 1991, Lagos was the capital of Nigeria, a position it had held since 1914. Then the purpose built city of Abuja was established and the capital transferred. Despite losing its capital status, Lagos remains the largest and most prosperous city in Nigeria with a population of around eight million.

This video explores life today inside Lagos, what its like living there and the many challenges the city faces. Historically, Lagos was named by the Portuguese (Lagos is Portuguese for lake) after the explorer Rui de Sequeria visited the area in 1472. By that time Lagos was already a slave trade centre ruled by Yoruba Kings called the Oba.

When the new king Oba Akitoye ascended the throne in 1841 he was overthrown by Lagos traders opposed to his attempt to ban slavery, and his brother, Oba Kosoko was installed as Oba. The British, who were setting down place markers in the area, supported his restoration in 1851 and then, a decade later, annexed Lagos as a British colony. Slavery was then abolished and the remainder of Nigeria was taken as a British colony in 1887 as part of the scramble for Africa.