Understanding Intermediate Cities in Nigeria: The Cases of Ibadan and Abeokuta

Nigeria is known for its rapid demographic and urban growth. The attention of media and scholars has been focused on the impressive expansion of the Nigerian megacity Lagos, whose population is expected to increase from 16 million in 2024 to around 40 million in 2035. Consequently, less evidence exists about other city categories in Nigeria, such as intermediate or secondary cities. Yet, more recent research on urbanization dynamics in Africa has highlighted the relatively higher urban growth rates in so-called “intermediate cities”. This paper contributes to the debate and aims at providing a different perspective on urbanization in Nigeria: based on a historical approach, this Ifri Paper assesses the development of two intermediate-satellite cities to Lagos: Abeokuta and Ibadan. It argues that Lagos is not a stand-alone city but that it relies on its broader urban network composed of intermediate cities. The paper describes the historical development of Ibadan and Abeokuta, which have evolved concomitantly with the growth of Lagos. It shows that transport infrastructure, established since the colonial period has been key for the relationship between these cities.