History of Lagos
Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria, and its former capital; it is the largest city in Africa in terms of population, with about 15.3 million people. It is also the 4th largest economy in Africa. Founded in the 16th century by the Awori people as Eko, it was for centuries a small but important commercial kingdom on the Bight of Benin. In 1851, the British intervened in an internal political dispute, establishing their influence. It formally became a protectorate in 1861.