Lagos is a deeply religious city, and an unusually mixed one. Christians and Muslims live side by side, often in the same family, and Yoruba traditional religion is part of the culture of both.
Christianity
Lagos has every kind of church: Anglican and Catholic cathedrals on the Island, Pentecostal churches of every size, and some of the largest congregations in the world. Several megachurches have their own camps on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where vast gatherings are held.
Islam
Mosques are everywhere, from the Central Mosque on Lagos Island to small neighbourhood mosques. Friday midday prayers draw large crowds, and the call to prayer is part of the sound of the city.
Living alongside both
- Greetings and holidays: Christmas, Easter, the two Eids and the Prophet’s birthday are all public holidays, and people greet each other on all of them. Public holidays
- Questions about faith are normal here, and asked kindly. “Which church do you attend?” is small talk.
- Respect dress and custom at religious buildings: cover up at mosques, and take off shoes where others do.
The practical side
- Traffic: large services and Friday prayers jam nearby roads, and the big camp gatherings can close the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Check before you travel.
- Noise: night vigils and loudspeakers can be loud. Lagos has rules on noise from places of worship, and a complaints route. Which Lagos agency does what