Lagos, the capital of Nigeria since 1914, was in 1954 declared Federal Territory under the direct administration of the central Government, in order to satisfy demands that it should not, like some other federal capitals, be controlled by any of the constituent units. But, when new States were created in 1967, this Federal Territory was merged with neighbouring areas to become Lagos State, with headquarters in Lagos, which was retained as the Federal capital. This development raises again the issue of protecting Nigeria's capital from control by any of the constituent units of the Federation; should this be done by declaring Lagos Federal Territory again? or by choosing another site? These questions involve a consideration of the process by which Lagos was chosen as the Federal capital, of its effectiveness under present conditions, and of the location of a possible alternative, neutral capital of Nigeria.