Why Africa's Largest City is a Terrible Place to Live

[@Cascade365]

Wow, the response to this video has been incredible. On Monday, I had 15 subscribers, and now, four days later, I have qualified for the youtube partner program. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who watched, liked, subscribed and commented. I started this channel because I think stories about the history, business, politics and economics of my country and continent are super interesting and deserve to be shared with the world from our own perspective. I'm so glad that other people feel the same way and that we've been able to spark discussions on these important topics. I have linked all the sources for this video in this comment, so feel free to dive in and challenge my thinking in an environment of intellectual honesty. I will be adding sources to the video description once I'm verified and youtube enables the feature for my channel. I'm committed to working hard to bring you more videos and to improve every day. Thank you for being a part of this journey! SOURCES: docs.google.com/document/d/1or_AFxa1UoiEeJxl84P56oK5veIV5mo5ezLdHOqOmAQ/edit?usp=sharing

[@marcused8317]

well deserved!

[@ponraul1221]

Well done, keep up the great work

[@neckenwiler]

This is a well put together and edifying video. I'm American, and I have a few Nigerian-American friends, but I know extremely little about the history, economy, and politics of Nigeria, even though it's the largest country in Africa.

[@Kazavop]

Congratulations! :)

[@Tinil0]

Congratulations! You definitely deserve it, this is incredible work.

[@AdamfromBristol]

Really interesting: a city of 20 million with only one metro line must have the worst congestion in the world!

[@beno1129]

It certainly does. I was there during Christmas last year and I spent hours in traffic from the airport to my destination.

[@pcongre]

The urban area of kinshasa has a similar population and basically no high capacity public transport at all (also hồchíminh/sàigòn + bogotá... though they both plan to open their first metro line too, hopefully in the not too distant future) [edit: also also, onitsha and kabul... they are smaller cities, but they don't even have brt or a train station - there is absolutely nothing resembling mid/high capacity transport there]

[@leozixiliu4646]

⁠@@pcongrebogota has large brt network so probably less urgent?

[@ED9306]

@@leozixiliu4646 Bogotá is by far more developed, lightyears ahead of cities like Kinshasa or Saigon. Congestion is bad, but doesn't give MadMax vibes like Delhi, a bigger City with a huge metro system

[@Drunken_Master]

Congestion is the least of their problems...

[@notme943]

at this point, it makes more sense to divert the economy from lagos to other cities, incentivizing people to move.

[@nellym46664]

They tried that with Abuja (the current capital) and it didn't work. Lagos is West Africa's best potential to become an economic hub in the likes of NYC, Tokyo, or Shanghai (all port cities btw). The city's too big to ignore. Nigeria has no choice but to enact a massive urban redevelopment plan.

[@HansOvervoorde]

​@@nellym46664 exactly. It feels to me almost like a country in a country, like London in the UK. With everything connected and, in its own way, more and less in some kind of balance, it appears to me extremely complicated to divert. Yet it must be done before things get very out of control as disease and fire will spread really fast in more than some of its extremely populated areas.

[@vishnuprasadh7692]

@@nellym46664 Planning aside, I don't think anybody's got the political will these days to enact a plan similar to what happened with Paris all those centuries ago.

[@bencas9288]

@@nellym46664 lmao will never happen. White man stopped slavery . White people built infrastructure. White left them to themselves and they trashed a beautiful city

[@lord_of_love_and_thunder]

This has been tried on many occasions in both developed and developing regions. The reason it does not work is economics. People need access to jobs and services, and that happens best in dense settlements. There really is no alternative to density, but density is much harder for poorer countries to manage.

[@kymanihall3174]

The quality on this far outpaces the viewership and numbers. So I did a cursory look and saw that its only your 4th video. Idk if you plan to keep making them or to get more consistent, but this shows that you have the ability to make great things and I want to be there when you make them so I've subscribed. I must admit, beyond the football team, the music, that one Chinua Achebe novel I read in school, the vibrant and ambitious people I have met and a few tonnes of Jollof - I do not know much about Nigeria, at least historically. As a Jamaican I have always felt a kinship there and will have to read into it more - but a tasteful, well researched and well curated 14 minute video can never be defeated - keep doing what you're doing.

[@Cascade365]

Thanks for subscribing! I’m so happy you enjoyed it

[@orboakin8074]

Sir, amazing video 👏 As a Nigerian (Edo man born in Lagos😂), I am really happy to see such an objective and well researched discourse of African history as yours. You highlight everything of importance but also summarize it in a way that doesn't diminish the info. Respect! I also admire how you handle the historical stuff so balanced. You mention how slavery existed here before colonialism. You mention the efforts of the British to quell slavery but not for wholly altruistic reasons and you mention the socioeconomic and political and geographic factors behind Lagos's history and Nigeria's history. You have gained a new sub.

[@hotmess9640]

I’m Somali but my husband and son are edo. Hello to their cousin! 😅

[@orboakin8074]

@@hotmess9640 hello Madam. Thanks for sharing and God bless you and your family 🙏

[@windoak2113]

The civil war doesn't even affect Damascus anymore and its rebuilding, so Lagos might actually be number 1 nowadays.

[@Rodrigo_Vega]

I hope Damascus recovers swiftly and that lasting prosperity soon comes uppon it. My great-grandfather was from there, and it pains me not to be able to visit that land due to the dangers involved.

[@gunnertilldeath]

Port Au Prince would like to challenge for this title.

[@menice6736]

@@windoak2113 the centre is cool, outskirts not the best because of the wat

[@taysondynastyemperor5124]

The average Syrian only makes the equivalent of $31 dollars a month due to sanctions, while the average Nigerian makes $190 to around $300 a month…

[@biinniit]

​@@taysondynastyemperor5124which average Nigerian makes $190 a month? That's high end lol, stop lying. It's more like $45 a month.

[@accountname7738]

This was a really well-produced video. Keep it up! You'll get the views.

[@Cascade365]

Thank you!!

[@taharka3897]

​@@Cascade365 the only way to remedy the problem is for other states to continue to develop.

[@Mister_Mass]

I came here just to say that too!!!

[@be_awake007]

​@@taharka3897 but that won't happen at least not now, because corruption still have it's grip on most Nigeria leaders, Lagos is a mess right? But that mess makes millions of not billions yearly to some very few individual, so the people who are in charge don't want it to change, then talk about other cities, same thing, the people who are in charge only care keeping as much money for themselves, to even think of investing in something to attract outside investors or even inside investors, it's sad when you think about it, we Nigerians live in a corrupt state and it's going to take something very drastic and special to change that.

[@lianaborges7136]

Yeah this guy deserves to get big!

[@menice6736]

I was very confused when I saw this video had only 54 views, it was really good and well researched

[@xavierclayton9990]

Are you confused at the current 25k views ?

[@menice6736]

@@xavierclayton9990 yes haha, the video exploded

[@jish8681]

it had one view from every country in africa 💀🙏

[@upendo.3570]

@@jish8681😂

[@robertmusil1107]

ANd now it is at 160k and I got it recommended. It's always nice to see how the free market rewards quality content, even if it might take some time.

[@miniminuteman773]

Great video. Excellent production value, fascinating topic and engaging presentation. Keep it up!

[@ppbacik]

I've always wanted to learn more about africa from an modern African perspective, the quality of this video is amazing. Keep it up, I'm excited to see more

[@tonyfulton9966]

By far and away the worst place I’ve had the misfortune to visit/work in during my career. I’ve worked in more than 50 countries across the world and this place is beyond bad, hell on earth in fact.

[@a.alphonso6193]

lol sure

[@06hurdwp]

How?

[@manne8575]

@@a.alphonso6193 What sure? You need more proof Lagos sucks?

[@quinnharris3283]

Did you guys watch the same video?

[@omerk2534]

@@06hurdwp did you watch the video idiot?

[@colinmacdonald5732]

Set up camp in a lagoon to escape invading barbarians. A bit like Venice, then.

[@kingpredator117]

wdym barbarians

[@unoriginal1086]

yeah i was thinking that the story is similar to Venice.

[@lunaloynaz-lopez2318]

@@kingpredator117 Absolute Barbarians. They violently colonized the country. Lol

[@Draregkoeliekalie]

​@@lunaloynaz-lopez2318ah yes and as shown in the video it constantly being attacked and ruled by others. This doesnt make colonization less worse, but before colonization it was occupied most of the time. Which is pretty much the same. A ruler from another place conquers land. We all hope it wont happen again and we all need to work hard for it not to happen again, but look at the world now. Lots of wars, lots of civil wars. Humans and their greed and inability to achieve together is harsh reality. Unfortunately.

[@arnoldhau1]

Empires rather than barbarians. But all just a matter of perspective I guess. There sure is some similarity. And Venice would be quite the hellhole if it had 20 million inhabitants, I guess.

[@beno1129]

This is easily one of the most detailed and well-researched videos I have seen on KZbin for a long time. Instant sub! It's even more impressive when considering the fact that the history of many African societies is difficult to access (compared to European/Middle Eastern/Chinese/Japanese history)

[@Cascade365]

Thank you!! 😃

[@wolfzmusic9706]

Don't get me wrong, this is good, but there are lots of channels that go insanely in depth. For example, History Time or ABSTRACT (previously Real Horror). Their research must be crazy.

[@stonew1927]

Wow. I was blown away by this report. I learned soooo much, not only about Lagos, but also about Nigerian and African history regarding the slave trade. You gained a new subscriber. I look forward to viewing and learning from your other videos. Thank you!!

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

It's crazy how teeny tiny tiny England that's not even 700 miles long somehow managed to not only rule but build real lasting infrastructure in these colossally huge places while also doing the same in huge India , china,Australia,Canada etc etc.. If ppl could see how tiny the place is and how far away it is it's mind blowing how it had the biggest empire

[@frankfleming1103]

Not whole China, only in Hongkong, an small island in South China

[@Paddy-m7e]

Are you really this silly. England ruled nothing lol. The UK Empire consisted of four ruling countries. Are you American by any chance? Such a poor education

[@Paddy-m7e]

​@frankfleming1103 Are you American? lol

[@KR-rs3sj]

They didn't industrialize China, the Qing did after the second opium war. Just Hong Kong. Your point stands though.

[@Paddy-m7e]

There was never any such thing as the English Empire. It was the UK Empire which consisted of 4 ruling nations. England was merely one nation of the UK. Where on earth did you receive such a poor education?

[@augustclarke7618]

For a smaller channel, the production quality of this video is shockingly good! Well done I'm excited to see more from you. You have a fantastic voice too that's nice to listen to.

[@Cascade365]

Thank you so much!

[@joshgseyi]

I’m so curious what happened over the last year since your last video? Whatever you did during that time, we’re glad to have this video as a result.

[@adamski-l5w]

Well produced video. Good to see African content. Looking forward to seeing more. Cheers from 🇦🇺

[@Uniongamers]

A very informative and objective history of Lagos. Almost entirely factual without all the 'Empire bad' grandstanding pitfall a lot of video makers fall into when making videos like this. Keep up the great work!

[@enricoryancomentan1235]

Excellent video! I feel like KZbin is lacking good content focusing on Africa & its rich history, so it's nice to see such a well-researched and informative video like this. Being from the Philippines, almost none of our world history classes cover Africa, so it's the continent I know the least about, despite it being the second most populous. Love the work, keep it up!

[@firun2635]

It's very interesting to hear about Africa's history and current issues from an actual African perspective. Very well made video!

[@kevinmahoque5608]

Bloody hell dude, what a well made video, congrats... Love from Mozambique, Maputo (basically Lagos but smaller 😅)

[@x-r-s]

This is very well-made and super interesting! I'm European and it's so rare to see African history and society from an African perspective! Keep them coming please :)

[@osasunaitor]

Great video! It's very interesting to hear about the situation in an African megalopolis from the perspective of a local, you don't find this often. I also appreciate that you didn't get political and just described historical facts without going the easy way of blaming European colonisers for everything. You are doing some really serious work here, keep it up! Africa needs smart content like this to raise awareness about the most important issues

[@n2e913]

Trains

[@himanshusingh5214]

The British restricted uncontrolled migration to the city and the floodgates were opened after independence. Not even the Chinese would have been able to deal with this population growth (They have the Hukou system to limit poor people from the countryside to move into cities).

[@cuckstew3782]

Apartheid did the same thing

[@Mr.Bupp101]

Remember me when you’re famous

[@TehReQx]

This video will have over a million views in no time

[@daultimate100]

You went all Johnny Harris with the maps, excellent work 💯

[@grzegorzswist]

But without ego and over production.

[@gildedpeahen876]

@@grzegorzswist and WEF funding!

[@BobKnight-mm2ze]

@@grzegorzswist Johnny "classic."

[@hotmess9640]

@@grzegorzswistand talking about himself majority of the video

[@jeremybeau8334]

That nasty guy is so condescending... i know he is a gringo. But thats not an excuse.

[@pain8117]

Shocking how similar their history is to that of Venice. Settling in a swamp for safety, getting conquered nonetheless, then growing their city too large for the lands to handle

[@crakheadkat1581]

The origin story is almost the exact same as Venice, which is also on an island in a lagoon because it wanted to flee from the surrounding empires. Also very well done Video, for someone who basically knows nothing about the region and it's history this was a very good overview.

[@michaeladu6120]

Wow I love this. As a Ghanaian, I love learning about Nigeria. I hope you'll continue the series and explore Abuja or Kano.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

I often wonder if it would have been a better idea for all the coastal West African nations to form a unified government that better represents and respects the many cultures - both traditional and modern - in the region. With the Islamic presence in the Western Sahel, and more major differences between your region and other African regions, I really have come to think of coastal West Africa as a unique and distinctive civilization of its own. ECOWAS and the pan-African movement just aren't sensitive to these natural and cultural regions. But Nigeria and Ghana would be two great partners to spearhead efforts to unite the region. And it would have tremendous economic and political benefits... Provided mistakes of the past (dictators and corruption) are not repeated.

[@mcwomble99]

Excellent video. I visited Lagos for work 25 years ago and knew very little about it's history. This was really well produced and informative.

[@eXtremeAzureProductions]

Love the Vox-esque style of this video. Keep up the great work!

[@agboolafaleti4520]

The Answer to the WHY- “Zoning collapsed all over the city” fact 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Great summary of Lagos history. Keep it up!

[@thomascannon7028]

needs 1000 times the views, great video

[@ED9306]

Great video man! The world needs to keep learning about Africa, so please keep up the good work. Greetings from Mexico 🇲🇽

[@Cascade365]

Thank you!!

[@longlane_official]

Great video! Coming from The Netherlands I visited Lagos and Nigeria a few times and found the city and country fascinating. Keep up the good work👍

[@wailingalen]

Africa and history and geography in general is fascinating!! Make them and I will watch! You got another sub and like my brother!!! Represent the motherland!! Greetings from a Vietnamese American in sunny Florida!!. I’ve had the privilege to work with many Africans from Kenya and Ghana, and also Jamaica. Very beautiful people 😊

[@PrincessCharmless]

This was very informative and high quality, you deserve more subscribers! Love from South Africa🇿🇦

[@Almondstories]

GREAT VIDEO,THIS CHANNEL HAS CRAZY POTENTIAL.

[@Cascade365]

Thank you! I hope so

[@lolFJKify]

Great video!!! Greetings from Dominican Republic

[@zswqade3q24]

Great quality appreciate the production and straightforward presentation

[@obafemijoel6706]

You can tell that a lotttt of research went into this. I’m not a fan of history but this I would watch over and over again. Super insightful and well structured. Great job!!! 🎉

[@RevyTheExplorer]

I stumbled on this video because I'm doing research for a video about lagos (and why moving here is not a very good idea), and i have to say this is very well done. I love learning about Nigeria's history. Subscribed!

[@ZarquonZ]

Please do more! Especially for us non-Africans, your work helps remove a veil of ignorance about your country.

[@Naijanomicon]

Awesome work! Great production value 😁

[@billione2938]

This is why I’m focusing my efforts on Ibadan, building new infrastructures there for the mass to enjoy, public parks, a strip with restaurants, arcades, clubs. It’ll take time as I’m funding it myself but I do not mind at all. Lagos will soon learn.

[@queenvalentina]

insane production. we don't see enough african history online. i consider myself very lucky to get to support you so early :) big motion coming your way

[@athenlafoy1]

Happy too see your video get a nice break through. you deserve the views. Excited to see future content!

[@christiancano907]

Such a profesional video. Great job!

[@Adam-dd5fx]

Wow, great video! Deserves many more views

[@Cascade365]

Glad you liked it!!

[@kubon101]

I got suggested this video. This is probably one of the best made videos (in this format, topic, etc) that I have seen in a while! Amazing backstory, historical accuracy, production value! Excited to see more.

[@spencerloweth7135]

Great Video! Super excited to come across it, I've long been interested in Lagos and its astounding growth. A friend of mine is from Lagos but aside from the music and clubs, she spoke relatively little about the rest of it. Its great learning more context and I hope it can inspire some cool conversations with her.

[@Cascade365]

That's awesome! I have to say as someone who was born and grew up here, I didn't know too much of its history either, but doing the research for the video gave me a newfound appreciation for my home. I'm happy you also found it interesting and I hope it brings you closer to your friend

[@udemeetuk6250]

The quality of your documentary is world class. Kudos to you

[@dimaberlin]

Excellent video, keep up the high quality!

[@Cascade365]

Much appreciated!

[@KingArthurWs]

This is a great video! It's so hard to find good explorations of history in Africa, especially with how little there is in terms of records.

[@hectormccusker7302]

A thousand views for a video as good as this is not ok 😅 I'm subscribing

[@theocold9256]

Fascinating subject and a really good production. Well done. Thanks for posting.

[@kublakhanican7486]

Genuinely great video. Very impartial and informative, thanks!

[@Dhanpati-Media]

This channel is much needed and going to be huge.

[@ronroca4387]

Very well made video and I hope you make more to continue to teach us. I miss visiting Lagos

[@josephgulino3849]

Exceptional production quality. Like astoundingly good visuals and audio. You're gonna take off bro

[@einarangelsen]

Though this is sad, it is really good storytelling. I like the music, animations and your calm voice - good job!

[@ashitkotian2396]

Great quality of production and insight to cram so much history in just a 13 min video.

[@TrystaneTheBlack]

Really well put together video, it sucked that NewAfrica stopped uploading so randomly coming across this channel that has a similar style in editing and telling of history that isn't well known to the masses is a great find. I hope your channel continues to boom and we get more great videos like this. Subbed and turned notifications on.

[@andrewbond1683]

Great video; the amount of info you've managed to pack into 14 minutes is really impressive.

[@jonasvancaeneghem4077]

Great video man! It covered the history and current problems of the city in a very objective and informational way. I was very surprised of the low subscription count of your channel. Keep it up and you’ll surely get the high numbers!

[@ojronald1562]

Educational. Insightful. Great content 👍🏾

[@neilmorgan7578]

Hey well done for the video. Well researched and enjoyed it. This city needs a lot of support

[@DavidSanchez-hg8rw]

My algorithm is doing its thing. Glad I’m here early for your channel! I’ll be watching!

[@nicolasnascimento363]

Such an amazing video!

[@enyichi]

The sound quality is so good❤

[@drewkavi6327]

this video is insanely good

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Thank you: this was well done. The script, the backstory, and the visuals are top-notch! Not to mention the quality of your voice, which is engaging and great on the ears. Subscribed :)

[@Growlizing]

Great video. And good job finding all of these old maps. It would be cool to even spend some more time with one of the older maps!

[@Naglerfritz]

Great video! Its very nice that you pointed out how difficult it is to tackle large population growth in urban planning. I also liked that you tried to mention positive developments

[@imknowledgebites]

Well done. Well researched. Hardwork is showing. Keep going🎉

[@Cascade365]

Thank you! I will

[@PaddyOutback]

Fantastic video. I find it difficult to comprehend cities like Lagos- I’m an Irishman who lives in Australia. Two very different worlds. Good luck with your channel! Looking forward to more videos.

[@PurppCalx]

My brother you are about to blessed by the algorithm because this is way too good of a video for you to only have 700 subs

[@JapanSpr94]

Great journalism and production. Thank you for the information on Lagos. As an African American my genealogy results are 40% Nigerian and I’m always excited to learn more information especially about the Slave Trade.

[@MegaCooliam]

Good vid. Hi from Wales!

[@mycellphone4437]

Subscribed. Great work, congrats pal 🙂

[@FroMaestro]

The quality of this video outpaces anything I’ve watched about Nigeria in many years on here. I think I’m fairly well informed and I learned new historical sources here. Fantastic work, medium kudos. May you come into your KZbinr kingdom.

[@jsteele07189]

This really is an excellently-produced video, thank you for making it! I'm gonna go binge your other videos now

[@sethjackson7728]

I hope you go more into Nigeria and other African countries and cities on the continent. You earned a sub after watching this video. Keep up the good work

[@vmm6941]

Excellent and very needed resource for African history! Thnx

[@C4Vendetta]

Loved the video, if i can offer some feedback then I’d suggest doing a bit more of a map view of where lagos actually is! Lots of us arent very familiar with Africa and wouldn’t be able to place it on a map

[@shotarokaneda6111]

Nice and very informative video! You just earned yourself a sub! Regards from Germany

[@steffen6987]

Other than the fact that Denmark and France isn't the same thing 3:26, this video was very well put together. Weird it got so few views. I subscribed.

[@onakoyatemitayo9915]

He never said they were the same

[@steffen6987]

@@onakoyatemitayo9915 And I didn't say he did.

[@thorbjoernkarlebjergbrohol5866]

he mentioned france due to the fact that they had a larger influence on the history of the area then denmark did (denmark had a few short lived slave ports and island plantations)

[@manne8575]

@@steffen6987 Your comment is irrelevant then

[@steffen6987]

@@manne8575 Are you stupid?

[@HansOvervoorde]

Big compliments for this video! Excellent research, greatly build up, very factual, about a city that has more inhabitants than my whole country, yet I knew nothing about its past to present.

[@viktormutua8534]

This is some really well researched piece

[@AyoHues]

This is really great. A very interesting watch, thank you. I grew up in Lagos from the 1970s to 1990s and this video taught me a few things I didn’t know and reminded me of quite a few more that I had forgotten. Some great archival material here as well. I’d love to see that Kingsway map properly.

[@holland13100]

Very interesting to learn about Lagos. Keep up the good work!

[@Cascade365]

Thank you! Will do!

[@KP-he6hp]

Great video! I can't wait to see what else you make!

[@lusaru7812]

this is an amazing video, the commentary and editing is so good.

[@i.pezzotti853]

Very well-explained, narrated, and edited little film. Top notch quality, especially for a channel this young. The views are about to come in huge amounts, my friend. Keep it up with the great work. Much love from Puerto Rico.

[@kamikazeneko9070]

I was always looking for a channel that provide high quality videos about Africa

[@c.rutherford]

This seemed a more honest assessment many such Africa videos just look to blame everything on other countries and "colonialism" that happened a hundred years ago. That's one thing I like about the U.S. though I have plenty of other complaints lol. We hold our own politicans accountable for everything wrong and hold their toes to the fire. If everybody here just blamed history, other countries and pointed outside it would be impossible to fix anything. Though the people running things here would certainly enjoy the diversion

[@Jo-sd3ch]

Well researched. Well done my good man. Liked and shared. I like seeing thorough work from Nigerians. You might want to consider A/B testing different titles for the video. The content is way more and better than the title of the video. Also, lightning fire the people that clicked the dislike button :D

[@Cascade365]

Thank you, I really appreciate it 💥

[@DWIGGG]

Great video! Subscribed.

[@bannanaboy8]

Great content!

[@LordSpuggy]

Great video! Super interesting and the production quality is top notch

[@eulailalady491]

I always love historical content made by the people who live in those areas, so ill be sticking around your channel from now on! Great vid