Largest U.S. Consulate To Be Built In Lagos At Cost Of $537m

The United States (U.S) Embassy in Nigeria has flagged off the construction of its $537 million new consulate building at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the construction of the proposed consulate, located on a 12.2-acre site in the rapidly developing Eko Atlantic City, will take approximately five years to be completed in 2027.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said that the new consulate in Lagos would support diplomatic and commercial relations between the U.S. and Nigeria.

She added that the new consulate would also provide American and Nigerian consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace.

“The soon to commence 10-storey building will be the largest U.S. consulate in the world and our goal is to achieve leadership in energy and design,” she said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the construction of the largest U.S. consulate in the world in Lagos was an indication of the importance of U.S.-Nigeria relations and Lagos in particular.

“It is not about the aesthetics of the project alone but also the functionality, sustainability and focus on local collaborations,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Nidal Zayed, Chief Executive Officer, Pernix Group, the design/build contractor of the project, said that an estimated $95 million would be invested in the local economy in executing the project which would employ approximately 2,500 Nigerians.

The construction targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification – a globally recognised designation for achievement in high performance, best-in-class, green buildings.

It also incorporates many features designed to make the building more sustainable.