Lagos — In a recent survey published by TimeOut Magazine, Lagos has emerged as one of the world’s best cities for 2025, earning global recognition for its vibrant culture, dynamic economy, and thriving entertainment scene. The city’s meteoric rise on the global stage highlights its unique blend of tradition and modernity, alongside its rapid transformation into a major hub for business, tourism, and innovation.
TimeOut’s comprehensive ranking, which surveys urban residents from over 50 cities across the world, specifically highlighted Lagos for its pulsating lifestyle, diverse culinary offerings, and the resilience of its people. The magazine credited the city for its increasingly robust infrastructure, thriving arts scene, and burgeoning tech ecosystem, all of which are contributing to the reshaping of the city into a global metropolis.
“From its energetic street life to its vibrant arts culture and its growing status as a tech innovation centre, Lagos continues to evolve into a beacon of creativity, opportunity, and resilience,” TimeOut noted in its feature. “Despite the challenges that come with its rapid growth, Lagos is a city that refuses to be slowed down.”
Lagos’s impressive cultural vibrancy was specifically praised, with the city’s music, fashion, and arts scenes taking centre stage in global conversations. The city is home to a thriving entertainment industry that has taken the world by storm, with Afrobeats music gaining international recognition and Nollywood films finding wider global audiences. TimeOut also acknowledged the city’s culinary scene, highlighting the rich mix of local dishes and international cuisine that appeals to both residents and visitors.
Beyond entertainment and food, Lagos has increasingly been recognized for its strides in infrastructure development, especially under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Major infrastructure projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Fourth Mainland Bridge, and the expansion of the public transportation network, have significantly improved connectivity, making Lagos a more attractive destination for both business and tourism.
The city’s tech ecosystem also garnered attention, with Lagos serving as the continent’s startup capital. The innovation scene continues to thrive with a growing number of tech hubs, fintech startups, and venture capital investments driving the next wave of digital transformation.
However, the magazine also emphasized that Lagos’s appeal goes beyond its economic might and cultural richness — it is the unwavering spirit of its people, the resilience in the face of adversity, and the warmth of its vibrant communities that make the city truly exceptional.
As Lagos continues to evolve, its recognition as one of the best cities in the world in 2025 by TimeOut magazine is a testament to the remarkable progress it has made, positioning itself not just as a leading city in Africa but as a key player in the global urban landscape.
