Lagos is the 19th best city in the world, according to the latest report of the world’s 50 best cities, which is based on the Time Out Index, created from a survey of more than 20,000 city dwellers around the world, along with its own network of editors.
But the ranking contrasts sharply with the survey carried out by The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Global Liveability report, which ranked Lagos as the fourth worst city to live in the world.
Writing on the qualities that make a city great, the report noted that some said it was all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre.
Others, it said, highlighted things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes.
“We factor in all that and more in our annual survey, which asks city-dwellers around the world to tell us what it’s like to live, work and play in their hometowns right now.
“Thanks to the opinions and insights of locals on the ground and our global network of city experts, we’re able to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities – and the 2024 results are in.
“As in previous years, the basis of the ranking remains our global survey of the people who know their city best: the locals. Working with research company Potentia Insight, we surveyed thousands of city-dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife in their city.
“We also asked locals how their city makes them feel: are they happy there? Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections? Their thousands of responses gave us a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now,” the Time Out report stated.
According to the report, each survey respondent was asked which other city they would most like to live in, with polling also involving more than 100 well-travelled Time Out staff writers and editors, based all over the world, for their take on which cities are particularly exciting places to visit now.
On Lagos, the report said: “What makes us great: Whether you’re a staunch mainlander or from Lekki, there’s something for everyone in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city. Posh Victoria Island continues to deliver a trifecta of swanky resorts, food haunts, and nightlife.
“Lekki is for the brunchers – make Maple Lagos your first stop. On the mainland, Kuti’s Bistro in Ikeja, owned by the legendary afrobeat family, serves up reliably delicious food and hosts parties, karaoke and games nights.
“And then there are the beaches – hit up Oniru Beach for some fun in the sun, but be sure to bring naira for this private beach.
“For those who live for the night, Hard Rock Cafe Lagos provides a massive indoor-outdoor playground with top artists including DJ Obi (‘Obi’s House’ on Mondays), who set a Guinness World Record in 2016 for a 240-hour marathon set,” it added.
Urging travellers to visit now, the report said both the city and its suburbs are expanding – highlighting a live-work-play concept like Eko Atlantic City.
Just out of town, Epe, on the north side of Lekki Lagoon, it stressed, is experiencing a boom at the moment.
“The town is home to the legendary Oluwo Fish Market, the biggest in Lagos state, where almost all traders are women. Fittingly, there’s a giant two-fish statue in the centre of town.
“When it comes to standard of living, Lagos has a lot going for it – 96 per cent of locals are happy, 98 per cent would call Lagos beautiful and the city got a 92 per cent friendliness rating, too,” it claimed.
Lagos beat, Dubai, Miami, Barcelona, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney, Glasgow, Naples, among many others to clinch the position, according to the report.
New York emerged the best city in the world, according to Time Out, the renowned guide’s 50 Best Cities in the World 2024 index, noting that it earned the coveted top spot, thanks to its ‘food and cultural scenes, beauty and everything it offers making residents happy’.
Two other US cities were on the list of the top 20, including Chicago, at number 14, which was at the top of the list in 2018 and 2016. Los Angeles came in at number 17.
Of the other two African countries which emerged on the list, Cape Town, South Africa came 2nd, while Accra, Ghana was 44th.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
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