Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Lagos, Nigeria's megacity of over 15 million people, is a melting pot of ethnicities, nationalities, and cultures. While predominantly Nigerian, the city hosts diverse expatriate communities that contribute to its cosmopolitan character.
The most recent official census (2006) recorded Lagos State's population at approximately 9.1 million (widely considered an undercount). At that time, non-Nigerians constituted about 1.3% of residents. The vast majority of foreign nationals were from other African countries—particularly Benin, Togo, Ghana, Niger, and Cameroon—reflecting regional migration patterns and ECOWAS free movement protocols.
Europeans and North Americans represent a very small minority within the non-Nigerian population. This group includes:
No official census breakdown by race/ethnicity exists for recent years. Estimates suggest the "white" expatriate population numbers in the low thousands—far less than 0.1% of the metro population.
Since 2006, Lagos has grown enormously. The expatriate community has evolved with:
Nigeria's next census has been repeatedly delayed. Current demographic estimates rely on projections, surveys, and administrative data (visa/residence permits), which capture only documented residents. The true picture of Lagos's diversity—including undocumented migrants—remains difficult to quantify precisely.
What's clear: Lagos's identity is overwhelmingly Nigerian and African, with a small but economically visible international presence.