Lagos, with a population of 2 million, is the chief commercial center of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. Irvington, by comparison, is tiny. With a diverse ethnic population of 60,000, it stands in the shadow of Newark.

But the two municipalities have more in common than it may appear. Both suffer from a negative image. And despite problems of crime, health, education and other social ills, they seem to be turning the tide.

"Irvington is a miracle about to happen," Mayor Wayne Smith said yesterday during a meeting in town hall with a delegation from Lagos.

"Lagos is a miracle already happening," said Olufemi Pedro, deputy governor of the city.

Following yesterday's meeting, Irvington -- which joined the Sister Cities International last year -- will form a sister-city relationship with Lagos, Smith said.

Pedro said the two places have much to learn from each other.

Irvington and Lagos came together thanks to Muyis Docemo, a prince from Lagos who is pursuing a degree in political science from Kean University. Docemo was an intern in Smith's office last summer and suggested that representatives from his native city and Irvington exchange ideas.

Pedro said Lagos suffers from a lack of housing, a high crime rate, problems with a growing number of refugees. But the bad press the city gets is not all deserved, he said.

"There are tremendous changes taking place," he said. "We are not there yet. But there are lots of opportunity in Nigeria."

Pedro said Lagos is the fastest-growing city in Africa, with the population increasing at 8 percent per year. Along with that growth are opportunities for business. For example, those who want to start businesses are given free land, he said. "We give you everything."

The newly formed relationship between Irvington and Lagos represents a chance to share ideas, perhaps even start a student exchange program, Pedro said.

Smith said things are looking up in Irvington, too. Last year saw property values rise 44 percent, he said. And the state Uniform Crime Report indicates that crime is down, the mayor added.

The mayor said there was enormous interest in Irvington's revival. "They (Lagos) didn't just pick this little place off the map," he said. "And we're not just a little place standing in the shadow of a city."