Eko Atlantic City is a large scale, master planned coastal city built on reclaimed land along the Atlantic Ocean, adjacent to Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria under Eti-Osa Local government. Conceived as a response to severe coastal erosion that threatened parts of Lagos, the project combines environmental protection with urban development. At the heart of this effort is the Great Wall of Lagos, an extensive sea defense system engineered to shield Victoria Island and surrounding areas from ocean surge and erosion while creating new, stable land for development.

Eko Atlantic represents the highest tier of property development in Nigeria. It hosts luxury residential apartments, high rise office towers, commercial spaces, hotels, and leisure facilities, all with premium ocean and city views. Properties within the city are targeted at multinational corporations, high networth individuals, expatriates, and global investors, positioning Eko Atlantic as a gateway for international business in West Africa.

Origins & Motivation

For much of the 20th century, Atlantic Ocean erosion steadily ate into Bar Beach and the Victoria Island shoreline, washing away large stretches of land and threatening properties, infrastructure, and livelihoods along Lagos’s coast. In the early 2000s, this growing risk prompted government and private sector stakeholders to explore long term shoreline protection solutions, which eventually led to a large scale land reclamation and coastal defense initiative.

The project was developed by South Energyx Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group, with strategic regulatory and political support from the Lagos State and Federal Governments. It is primarily a privately funded development, rather than a government-built or public housing project.

Timeline & Milestones

Between 2005 and 2008, early shoreline stabilization efforts and climate engineering discussions laid the groundwork for a larger reclamation project. In February 2008, full scale land reclamation began through extensive dredging aimed at reversing decades of coastal erosion.

By 2009, construction started on the Great Wall of Lagos, an over 8-kilometre sea defense designed to protect the reclaimed land, with millions of cubic metres of sand placed behind it. Significant progress was marked in 2013 during a formal ceremony attended by prominent local and international figures.

Between 2014 and 2016, the first major residential developments, including Eko Pearl Towers, emerged as infrastructure was completed. By the 2020s, with underground utilities fully installed, construction and occupancy increased, and Eko Atlantic began hosting events and community activities.

Real Estate Projects & Developers in Eko Atlantic

a). Eko Development Company Limited - One of the leading developers in Eko Atlantic, responsible for major mixed use projects such as Azuri Towers, which combine luxury residences and smart office spaces with modern amenities and fibre connectivity. The company is led by Olawale Opayinka as Managing Director/CEO.

b). Eko Pearl Towers - A landmark luxury residential complex made up of five high rise towers offering premium apartments with panoramic ocean views. The project was developed through a collaboration between ESLA International, South Energyx Nigeria Ltd, and Eko Pearl Construction Company.

c). Arkland Properties Investment Ltd - A fast growing local developer behind several residential and mixed-use towers in Eko Atlantic, including A & A Towers and Phoenix developments. The company aims to play a significant role in shaping the city’s real estate landscape.

d). Ocean Bay Estate / Eko Energy Estate - A luxury estate developed through a partnership between South Energyx Nigeria Ltd and Grenadines Homes, featuring highend villas, garden communities, and private amenities on the eastern side of Eko Atlantic.

Celebrities Linked to Eko Atlantic City

1). Davido (David Adeleke) - The Afrobeats superstar has publicly confirmed he is building a private mansion in Eko Atlantic City for himself and his wife, Chef Chioma. Reports indicate a large luxury residence currently under construction, reinforcing Eko Atlantic’s status as a preferred location for elite and celebrity living.

2). Obafemi Martins - The former Nigerian international footballer is reported to have purchased a luxury apartment in Eko Pearl Towers. While not confirmed as a permanent resident, the investment reflects strong interest from high-net-worth sports figures in Eko Atlantic real estate.

3). Gilbert & Ronald Chagoury - Prominent Nigerian business magnates and key figures behind the Eko Atlantic project through South Energyx Nigeria Ltd. Though not residents, their leadership and influence are central to the city’s development and global profile.

The Future Aspiration of Eko Atlantic City

Eko Atlantic is often compared to Dubai because of its future aspirations in luxury real estate development, particularly its similarities to iconic districts such as Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. Like these developments, Eko Atlantic is built on reclaimed land and designed to attract global investors and high networth individuals.