Nigeria, Feb. 8 -- Did you know that if Lagos were a country, it would be one of Africa's five largest economies ahead of countries like Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya? This should not surprise you. For a long time, Lagos has been the commercial nerve of Africa's largest economy, Nigeria. The state has metamorphosed into a trade and investment hub for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Lagos boasts a massive GDP of approximately $33.68 billion, and the per-individual income is $4,335. This figure is more than any other region in Nigeria.

Lagos consists of a system of islands, sandbars, and lagoons. It sprawls over what used to be the four main islands: Lagos, Iddo (now attached to the mainland), Ikoyi (now attached to Lagos Island), and Victoria (...