As the Nigerian writer Noo Saro-Wiwa wrote in Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria, “Lagos is a place that greets you with a simple sign: This is Lagos’ – take it or leave it”. It is an incomprehensible chaotic city of street hawkers and champagne drinking socialites. Lagos is a city of ocean side Elvis interpreters and changing customs. It is all the many colours of Nigeria’s ethnicities and cultures.

Lagos is wall to wall buildings, highways and traffic. (Image: Clara Sanchiz, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Behind all the high rises, the people of Lagos have repurposed the city’s history to make it livable. (Image: Clara Sanchiz, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Construction on the French Gothic Holy Cross Cathedral began in 1881 and was completed in 1934. (Image: Clara Sanchiz, BY SA-2.0, via Flickr)

The city’s museums are a small colourful celebrations of all that Lagos is. (Image: crashdburnd, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Visit the Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery for a collection of contemporary African art. (Image: crashdburnd, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Tarqua Bay Beach vendors offer everything from straw hats to fresh cold drinks. (Image: Nick M, BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Enjoy fresh coconut while you spread your toes in wonderful beach sand. (Image: Nick M, BY 2.0, via Flickr) (Image: Nick M, BY 2.0, via Flickr)

The city is often called ‘land of aquatic splendour’ and Lagos Lagoon is home to a unique community who live, travel and work the waters. (Image: Stefan Magdalinski, BY-NC 2.0, via Flickr)

Lagos is a city of commerce and invention. (Image: Ciara Sanchiz, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

The city of shy smiles and sidewalk vendors. (Image: Ciara Sanchiz, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

Lagos is colour and hardship rolled into one amazing travel experience. (Image: Nick M, BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Lagos is a microcosm of Nigerian culture. Its 8 million residents represent all of its many tribal cultures. (Image: Nick M, BY 2.0, via Flickr)

Lagos is a city of people who find time for quiet in their crowded, frenetic home. (Image: Ciara Sanchiz, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)

The Lekki Conservation Centre offers peace, quiet and tranquillity an hour away from downtown Lagos. (Image: Ciara Sanchiz, BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr)