Aliko Dangote Plans New Headquarters In Eko Atlantic

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to move the headquarters of his industrial empire to Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, further cementing the emerging district’s status as Nigeria’s financial hub.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for FirstBank’s new eco-friendly headquarters, Dangote, whose fortune stands at $28.2 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, praised the bank’s ambitious project and hinted at his own relocation.

“Many people will come to the new city of Lagos, Eko Atlantic to open their head offices. Femi has challenged me to join. I will join soon, not now. I’m resting right now. Having delivered the refinery, I need some rest, but I will be here soon,” Dangote said, addressing fellow billionaire Femi Otedola. “And I want to congratulate you on this groundbreaking ceremony.”

Eko Atlantic City, built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean, is rapidly transforming into the commercial heart of Lagos.

Engineered to withstand extreme oceanic conditions, the district is expected to house at least 250,000 residents and accommodate 150,000 daily commuters.

For years, Nigeria’s corporate elite have been based in districts like Ikoyi and Victoria Island, but Dangote’s decision—alongside FirstBank’s relocation from Marina— signals a shift toward Eko Atlantic as the new center of business and finance.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attended the First Bank’s groundbreaking ceremony as he officially giving the green light for the construction.

The state-of-the-art 40-Storey building, touted as the first of its kind in Nigeria will, on completion, be West Africa’s tallest commercial office building that fits into the plan and design of Eko Atlantic City as home of skyscrapers and extra-ordinary real estate.

The scale of the project highlights how Eko Atlantic has evolved from a land reclamation initiative into Nigeria’s fastest-growing international business district.

The U.S. government is investing over $500 million to construct a new consulate in Eko Atlantic.

Media behemoth, TVC, has also built a state-of-the-art studio there and is already operating from the location.

Similarly, of the current projects in the city’s real estate pipeline, the residential sector currently accounts for the largest share at 61.8 percent.

Besides A & A Towers being developed by Arkland Properties and Azuri Towers by Eko Development, Le Reve Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the city, is coming on thick.

Others ongoing and completed projects in the Eko Atlantic are African Data Centre; Alpha1, AMNI Towers, Anglican Church for All Nation; The Audacity Skyline; Eko Energy Estate; Eko Pearl Towers; Pan Atlantis Tower; Phoenix Tower; and TM High Gardens.