Top 10 Reasons Why You Don't Want To Live In Lagos

Living in a big city is not always as rosy as it appears on paper and the Lagos life clearly typifies this. There are a number of issues to contend with as a Lagosian and we try to look at 10 of the most prevalent issues in the Centre of Excellence today.
As a resident of the economical capital of Africa’s most populous nation Lagos, you are bound to suffer a number of setbacks that are so rife it almost becomes a part of your everyday existence. And while some of these problems are understandable, as with other major cities of the world, there are some issues here that could be better managed or completely eradicated better still. Here is hoping the government of today can look into and help address these problems.
Now, without further ado, below are the 10 commonest problems:
1. Noise Pollution – Lagos is a polluted city in terms of noise control and survival. This has been the case for decades and it is so unusual when compared to cities in neighbouring countries.

Noise Pollution as one of the 10 most common problems in Lagos. Credit: Environment-today.org

2. Air Pollution – A clear case of inadequate power supply in the state means that many residents and commercial centres have to rely on diesel and fuel generators for survival. In addition to this, there are thousands of un-roadworthy vehicles plying the roads and these contribute to a large amount of exhaust fumes, among which are other forms of harmful materials, into the air.
The presence of these make life hazard for both man, pets and living organisms.

File photo of air pollution in a major city.

3. Undue rush owing to population surge – This is pretty self-explanatory and stems from the heavily populated nature of the city of Lagos. There are too many people having to survive with so little amenities and this is a real problem today.

File photo of overpopulation in Lagos. Credit Rediff.com

4. Erratic Power Supply – The absence or inadequate supply of power in Lagos means has led to several issues. Inadequate power has grounded many businesses in the city, spiked the cost of living and doing business and caused a lot more problems.

Problems of erratic power supply in Lagos. Credit: Newsbreak.ng

5. Inadequate Security – The problems of poor security checks in Lagos state makes living and doing business a hard nut to crack.

Issues concerning insecurity in Lagos. Credit: Dailypost.ng

6. Transportation Troubles – The major means of transportation within Lagos state is the roads but unfortunately the roads are not exactly as decent as they should be.
In this light, there are high costs of commuting over a little distance as a result of poor road networks, bad roads as well as too many vehicles plying too few roads, etc.

Traffic problems in Lagos. Credit: CNN

7. Corrupt Policemen – The Nigerian Police Force has a completely huge role to play in helping ensure security of lives and properties in the city of Lagos but they haven’t exactly risen to the occasion.
On many instances, they are caught up in the web of corruption themselves; steady loitering the state in pick-up vans and scheming for bribes and whatnot. This is an age-long issue in the city and a failure to address this only means the dream of achieving economic greatness in Lagos in the next few years will remain just what it is – a dream.

File photo of corrupt police officer.

8. Motor Park Thugs – These groups have operated without fear or regard for the law for so many years it now feels like a natural thing.
The Lagos state government has the primary role of ensuring the state is habitable and so unscrupulous elements such as street urchins and uniformed motor park thugs should be done away with for a more thriving state and overall living conditions.

File photo of street urchins in Lagos

9. Inadequate Amenities And Infrastructural Facilities – Many of the inhabitants of the city grapple with the odds of living with poor infrastructural facilities in Lagos and this has had its toll on living conditions for decades.
Only a paltry of the population can lay claim to living in a truly functional part of the state, a trend that makes the government appear elitist in the state.

Poor state of amenities and infrastructures in Lagos. Credit: Urbanfailure.blogspot

10. Unemployment – This is another major setback in the city of Lagos and though this is a new administration, one can only hope for a change as was promised during the election campaigns.

File photo of unemployment in Lagos.