A long weekend in Nigeria Lagos at the forefront of Africa

Lagos is at the forefront of global modernity. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas describes it as “the future Chicago, London or Los Angeles”. A global city without spatial limits, whose population is growing so quickly that no one knows whether it has 15 million or 20 million inhabitants! A megalopolis where entrepreneurship reigns supreme, attracting thousands of repats, members of the diaspora who are leaving London or New York for their home country, the land of endless possibilities.

Your trip

You don't just improvise in Lagos. To ensure you enjoy the best possible travel conditions, you will benefit from smooth logistics and bespoke services: welcome upon your arrival at the airport, fast-track through customs formalities, private transfers in air-conditioned vehicles with drivers. Our private English-speaking Concierge, a valuable intermediary between you and the megacity, is available to respond to your needs or any last-minute requests. A driver-guide will accompany you to and from the visits and meetings scheduled in your itinerary. Day after day, you will discover the creative spirit of an extraordinary city. On your itinerary - Real Lagos. There is Lagos Island, old Lagos... It is labyrinthine and teeming with life, and you will benefit from getting a local insider’s knowledge of the city. Kelechi Anabaraonve, an architecture student, will guide you on your tour, which will go all the way to Iga Idunganran, the official residence of the Oba of Lagos, the traditional ruler of Lagos. Their base is a Portuguese construction dating from 1705. Is Lagos the city of the future? Nothing, not even the ocean, seems to be able to stop the exponential growth of Lagos. Its neighbourhoods of Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki are home to an ever-increasing number of billionaires listed by Forbes, who compensate for the shortcomings of an absent government by building dykes, draining swamps and filling in the ocean to build entire neighbourhoods. You visit Banana Island, an enclave of wealth in the city with paved, straight avenues, and the artificial island of Eko Atlantic, built on tonnes of sand dredged from the ocean. Lagos, Africa’s fashion capital. The fashion scene pulses and bubbles with energy. You can get a sense of this buzz by visiting the fashion stores that matter: Deola Sagoe's couture approach is counterbalanced by Bubu Ogisi's militant radicalism for Iamisigo, while Lisa Folawiyo gives wax fabric a dazzling contemporary relevance. Nollywood. The Nigerian film industry blossomed on the streets, centred around the VHS tape business. It found markets throughout Africa and is now the second largest in the world. You can get a feel for the phenomenon by talking to a professional in the industry. Brunch at Alara. Alara is a concept store designed by architect David Adjaye. It is acclaimed by the new Nigerian bourgeoisie and, beyond that, by a changing Africa. At the Nok by Alara restaurant, chef Pierre Thiam boldly revisits the classics of Nigerian and West African cuisine, as he does in his New York restaurants. A tasty, colourful and light dish. We love it!