Crude City - Brief Overview
Nigeria is the world's 8th largest exporter of crude oil and no longer sends 43% of its exports to the United States due to the U.S. shale boom. The Oil industry accounts for about 14% of Nigeria's economy. [1]
Studies show that Lagos is comprised of several oil fields, meaning Makoko is within an oil field. This raises the observation and question of why such a poor community is sitting on one of the world's richest resources (oil).
Makoko community was originally established as a fishing village in the 18th century. It is made up of six distinct "villages" spread across land and water: Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe, Sogunro and Apollo. The first four villages are floating communities whilst the rest are based on land.
Makoko's population is unaccounted for, but it is approximated that over 200,000 people live in the community.
Situated on the Lagos Lagoon, west of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Makoko also serves as a landing station for loggers and supports a small lumber industry.
Makoko is a community that can be learned from, but to the Lagosian government, which frantically wants to develop Lagos, Makoko is seen as an embarrassment.
Crude City aims to redevelop and reimagine Makoko as a thriving community that capitalises on the rich resource it sits on (Crude Oil), hence the name Crude City.
References
Crude City - A Makotian Dream