Urban Transport in the OIC Megacities
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5. SWOT Analysis of OIC Megacity Transport Issues
5.1. Introduction
This chapter is a SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats) analysis of urban
transport in the remaining 5 OIC megacities. An analysis of the current transport conditions for each
city is made based on the framework developed in the literature review. The analysis is made based
on research that was not conducted on site, although our contacts in the cities were used wherever
available. A SWOT analysis table for each city is provided at the end of each section, based on an
assessment of each city. The purpose of the SWOT analysis is to shape a profile of the key strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each city in order to better understand its urban transport
conditions. By consolidating the analysis in SWOT format not only does it become easier to identify
the key challenges for a megacity but also the common problems across megacities. A SWOT analysis
is a quick and straightforward contextual analysis and provides a wide range of information, which
can then be used a basis for a more thorough review of the problems of each city. However, it is noted
that a SWOT analysis is not possible to reflect the complexity of transport issues in a city or provide a
solid basis for the prioritisation of policies and plans.
The outcome of the SWOT analyses, along with the literature review and the outcome of the 3 case
studies will be used in the following chapter where recommendations are given for all OIC megacities.
The following sections therefore present the SWOT analysis of the remaining5 OIC megacities.
Lagos
5.1.1. Urban background
In terms of administration, Lagos is not a single municipality and has therefore no overall city
administration. The urban area of Greater Lagos (after this indicated as Lagos Metropolitan Area/LMA
or Lagos) comprises of 16 separate municipalities, which are also known as Local Government Area
(LGA). These 16 LGAs together with 4 other LGAs comprise Lagos State. For this study, LMA will be
used as study area.
Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria. Based on the Federal Census carried out by the National
Population Commission (NPC) of Nigeria, the population of LMA in 2006 is 7.9 million. The annual
growth rate from 1991 to 2006 was 3.5% (Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Master Plan, 2008).
The growth of Lagos is primarily the result of its location on the west coast of Africa which has fostered
the development of trade with the hinterland as well as with the neighbouring international countries.
The role of Lagos as the administrative capital of Nigeria until December 1991 also contributed to her
growth.
Lagos State is the smallest state in Nigeria, but it is the most populous in Africa. It is interesting to note
that the population characteristics of the state are heterogeneous with most parts of the nation being
represented. Again, despite the relocation of the Federal Capital to Abuja, Lagos State remains,
undoubtedly, the economic nerve centre of the country. It harbours almost all the headquarters of the
multinational companies in the country. Lagos, occupies an eminent position based on all urban
indicators, most especially demography. It should be noted that all other cities are relatively small in
terms of commercial, industrial and trading activities in comparison to Lagos. Demographically, the
density of Lagos is much higher than other cities in Nigeria. According to Taiwo (2005), while Nigeria’s
population density is 100 persons per square kilometre (psk), that of Lagos is about 2,400 psk.
5.1.2. Transport network and infrastructure
In terms of transportation, Lagos area is naturally endowed with navigable creeks, lagoons and water
body that are suitable for urban transit services. It also has rail line that links the commercial southern
part of the city with the dormitory settlement of the North. As a result, Lagos has the potential of
benefiting from a seamless transportation system. Ironically, road transport dominates more than
90%of all urban movement (Oni, 2004). According to Taiwo (2005) there are about 2,600 km of roads