How many local governments are there in the Lagos State of Nigeria?

Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub, uses a structured system of local administration to manage its large population. A common question is, how many local governments are there in the Lagos State of Nigeria? The answer lies in both the 20 constitutionally recognised LGAs and additional LCDAs created for more effective grassroots governance.

Key takeaways

• Lagos State has 20 constitutionally recognized local government areas (LGAs), further subdivided into Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) for administrative efficiency.
• Local governments serve as the closest level of administration to the people, handling community needs and local development.
• They are responsible for essential services like primary healthcare, waste management, primary education, markets, and local roads.
• Each local government has elected officials, including a chairman and councillors, who represent residents at the grassroots level.
• With Lagos being Nigeria’s most populous state, local governments face unique challenges in managing rapid urbanisation and limited resources.

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How many local governments are there in the Lagos State of Nigeria?

They are 20 in number. Lagos is the most populous and economically significant state in Nigeria. It serves as the country's commercial and industrial centre, contributing significantly to Nigeria's GDP. Below are the 20 local governments in Lagos State.

List of 20 local governments in Lagos State

According to the Nigerian Constitution, there are 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos State. These LGAs form the official structure of grassroots governance in the state. For easy reference, the table below provides the list of 20 local governments in Lagos State in alphabetical order.

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1. Agege (Headquarters at Agege)

Agege is the Local Government Area in the Ikeja division. Agege has grown rapidly and has emerged as a major kola nut trading centre.

2. Ajeromi-Ifelodun (Headquarters at Amukoko)

Ajeromi-Ifelodun is an LGA in Lagos State's Badagry division. Ajeromi-Ifelodun boasts a population density of 57,276.3 persons per square kilometre.

3. Alimosho (Headquarters at Akowonjo)

Alimosho is the largest local government in Lagos State in terms of population. It is a neighbourhood in Ikeja. Alimosho was founded in 1945 and was part of the (then) western area.

The area is rich in culture, with annual festivities such as Oro, Igunnu, and Egungun standing out. Islam and Christianity are the two major religions. In the community, the Yoruba language is extensively spoken.

4. Amuwo-Odofin (Headquarters at Festac Town)

Amuwo-Odofin is a Local Government Area in Lagos, divided into two wards: Oriade and Amuwo. Given its proximity to the border, international trade has taken root in the area, with people of all ethnicities engaging in a variety of trading enterprises.

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5. Apapa (Headquarters at Apapa)

Apapa is located on Lagos Island to the west. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) operates a variety of ports and terminals in Apapa LGA, including the primary port of Lagos State and the Lagos Port Complex (LPC).

6. Badagry (Headquarters at Badagry)

Badagry is a coastal town in Lagos. It is located on the north bank of Porto Novo Creek, close to the city of Lagos. Between 1736 and 1851, Badagry grew as a commercial centre on the West African coast.

7. Epe (Headquarters at Epe)

Epe is a settlement on the north side of the Lekki Lagoon, around 90 kilometres from Ibadan. There is no supreme ruler in the region because there are two primary groups, each with its own monarch. These are the communities of Eko Epe and Ijebu Epe in the same town.

8. Eti-Osa (Headquarters at Eti-Osa)

Eti-Osa contains various major locations in Lagos State. Before the Nigerian capital was relocated to Abuja, Eti-Osa Local Government Area shared the title of the national capital with Lagos Island Local Government Area.

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9. Ibeju-Lekki (Headquarters at Ibeju-Lekki)

The demographics of Ibeju-Lekki include people from all over the country who live, work, and do business there. Ibeju Lekki has tourism potential due to its excellent oceanfront and lagoon vistas.

10. Ifako-Ijaiye (Headquarters at Ogba)

Ifako-Ijaiye is 43 square kilometres in size. General Sani Abacha, the then-military head of state, established the Ifako-Ijaiye local government, along with 183 other local governments, on October 1, 1996.

11. Ikeja (Headquarters at Ikeja)

Ikeja is the capital of Lagos State, located in southwestern Nigeria. Ikeja LGA was a well-planned, clean, and tranquil residential and commercial town with retail malls, pharmacies, and government reservation zones before the establishment of military control in the early 1980s.

Ikeja also has its radio station, Eko FM, which broadcasts in English and Yoruba.

12. Ikorodu (Headquarters at Ikorodu Town)

Ikorodu is located northeast of Lagos, along the Lagos Lagoon, and borders Ogun State. It is the most populous local government in Lagos State. Ikorodu's indigenous settlers came from Sagamu in Ogun State.

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13. Kosofe (Headquarters at Ojota)

Kosofe's headquarters are in the town of Kosofe. According to the 2006 census, it has an area of 81 square kilometres and a population of 665,393. One of the major settlements in Kosofe is Ikosi.

14. Lagos Island (Headquarters at Lagos Island)

Lagos Island is part of the Lagos division and covers the western section of the eponymous island. The Yoruba fishing town of Eko, which evolved into the modern metropolis of Lagos, is located on the island. The metropolis has now expanded to include the neighbouring islands and the adjacent mainland.

15. Lagos Mainland (Headquarters at Ebute-Metta)

Lagos Mainland is home to a sizable population of Lagosians and the majority of the city's industries. The Lagos Mainland is noted for its large retail malls and theatres in areas such as Surulere and Ikeja.

16. Mushin (Headquarters at Mushin)

Mushin lies 10 kilometres north of the city centre, next to the main road to Ikeja. It is mostly a densely populated residential region. Mushin LGA is also the birthplace of many A-list performers, like Wande Coal.

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17. Ojo (Headquarters at Ojo Town)

Ojo is 37 kilometres west of Lagos on the Trans-West African Coastal Highway's eastern part. Ojo LGA is mostly a residential township, but it is home to several significant marketplaces, including the Alaba International Market, the Alaba cattle market (Alaba Rago), the old Lagos International Trade Fair complex, and the Iyana-Iba market.

18. Oshodi-Isolo (Headquarters at Oshodi)

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the second republic Governor of Lagos State, founded Oshodi-Isolo. It is the smallest LGA located to the northwest of Lagos city centre.

19. Somolu (Headquarters at Shomolu)

Somolu is a town in Southwest Nigeria. The Somolu town is noted for having the largest printing sector in Lagos.

20. Surulere (Headquarters at Surulere)

Surulere is a residential and commercial Local Government Area located on the mainland of Lagos. In 2018, multinational sports company Nike Inc. collaborated with Wizkid to release a limited edition sports jersey, bringing Surulere LGA and Lagos' cultural footprint to the global stage.

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Beyond these 20, the Lagos State Government created 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in 2003 to improve service delivery due to the state’s rapid growth. When combined, they bring the total to 57 local governments in Lagos State (20 LGAs plus 37 LCDAs).

This has led to common searches like the list of the 37 local governments in Lagos State or the full list of local governments in Lagos State. While the LCDAs are not constitutionally recognised, they function actively and handle administration at the grassroots level.

What are the 44 local governments in Lagos State?

There are not 44 local governments in Lagos State. This is a mix-up with Kano State, which has 44 LGAs. Lagos officially has 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), making 57 councils in practice.

How many local governments are there in the Lagos State of Nigeria 2025?

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As of 2025, Lagos State still has 20 constitutionally recognised LGAs. In addition, there are 37 LCDAs created by the Lagos State Government for better grassroots administration, bringing the total councils to 57.

How many local governments do we have in Lagos State, Nigeria?

Constitutionally, there are 20 local governments in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Which state in Nigeria has the most Local governments?

Kano State has the most Local Government Areas in Nigeria, with 44 LGAs.

Which is the richest LGA in Lagos?

The richest LGA in Lagos is the Lagos Island Local Government Area. It generates significant revenue through commerce, finance, real estate, and tourism.

What is the smallest city in Nigeria?

The title of the “smallest city” in Nigeria is not officially defined, but in Lagos State, Lagos Island LGA is the smallest in land size, covering just 8.7 km². Nationally, various small towns or LGAs could be considered the “smallest” depending on whether size or population is the measure.

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Is Lagos Island a local government?

Lagos Island is one of the 20 local governments in Nigeria. It has three major bridges that connect it to the mainland. Located on the Island is the Yoruba fishing town of Eko, which evolved into the modern metropolis of Lagos.

Which local government is the biggest in Lagos?

The Local Government Area with the largest landmass and population in Lagos State is Alimosho.

What is the local government of Odogunyan?

Odogunyan is a rural village in the Ikorodu Local Government Area. It is located to the southwest of Ikorodu and to the northwest of Gbogbo. The majority of the population works in agriculture.

What comes under the local government?

Local governments are typically divided into two tiers: counties and municipalities, sometimes known as cities/towns. Some states divide counties into townships.

Which indigenous communities are present in Lagos State?

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Lagos State is mainly occupied by the Yoruba people. The Aworis and Eguns are indigenous people of the Ikeja and Badagry Divisions, respectively, with the Eguns mostly located in Badagry.

What is the oldest local government in Lagos state?

The Lagos City Hall was established in 1900; it is the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is in the Brazilian neighbourhoods, directly in the centre of the Lagos business district. The City Hall served as the local government headquarters, with various area offices serving the entire local government.

When people ask, how many local governments are there in the Lagos State of Nigeria? The answer provides more than just a figure. It reflects how governance is structured to connect the state government with millions of residents. This system plays a vital role in managing resources, delivering services, and supporting development across Lagos.

Legit.ng recently published an article on the LCDA in Lagos State and their chairmen. The state is divided into five administrative divisions, which are further subdivided into 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.

All LCDAs in Lagos State are led by a chairman elected in council elections and sworn in by the governor. The LCDAs in Lagos have been in operation for almost 15 years and have opened the way for establishing over 700 similar administrative units throughout Nigeria.

Source: Legit.ng