An incredible new city is under construction on land that has been reclaimed from the sea, one that will house around 250,000 residents and create new jobs for one of the fastest-growing nations by population in the world. 

About a century ago, the largest city in West Africa – Lagos, Nigeria – extended an extra two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. However, over time erosion caused the coastline to collapse into the sea. 

This has caused a conundrum for the country which is currently on track to increase by 275,000 people a year. In fact, Nigeria is expected to become the third most populous nation in the world behind India and China by 2050. 

To accommodate this growth, Nigeria’s cities need to expand – and quickly. 

One such solution is to reclaim the land lost to the sea and build a new coastal city. Eko Atlantic, officially the Nigeria International Commerce city, is currently under construction on Victoria Island, on the new peninsula adjacent to Lagos. 

Once completed, Eko Atlantic – dubbed the future “Dubai of Africa” – is anticipated to contribute over $1 billion (£784 million) to improving Nigeria’s economy and will help in the settlement of some of its residents.

Anticipated to house at least 300,000 residents and handle a daily flow of 250,000 commuters, Eko Atlantic is also designed to stop the erosion of Lagos city’s coastline. 

It aims to shield Victoria Island from future sea level rises and storm surges. According to studies, between eight and 14 metres of beachfront along Bar Beach were eroded annually.

The idea of a new modern city was first discussed in 2003, focusing on the Bar Beach area. In 2008, construction began and by May 2009, about three million cubic metres of space had been sand-filled and placed in the reclamation area, with about 35,000 tonnes of rock delivered to the site. 

In 2013, a ceremony was held to mark the reclamation of the land, attended by the then president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, former US president Bill Clinton and the current president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, who also previously served as governor of Lagos State. 

As of 2020, a few buildings including the Eko Pearl Towers, have been completed with several more under construction or in planning stages. Construction of Le Reve Tower has a completion date of last year and is said to boast 54 luxury units with coastal views, according to August Crossing.

It is currently eyeing a completion date of 2040, but construction actvities are progressing slowly 

Eko Atlantic is expected to rise as the next generation of property on the African continent, with ten districts spread across 3.9 square miles of land, satisfying financial, commercial, residential and tourist needs. 

Its website described Eko Atlantic as a “marvel of modern engineering and technology, and a testament to the rise of Nigeria on the world stage”.

It is said to be in line with modern and environmental standards and is also expected to have its own independent source of energy, generated specifically for the city.

Despite receiving accolades, Eko Atlantic, however, has not been without its criticisms, including the fact that many of the properties will be out of reach for the majority of citizens, who live below the poverty line.

Additionally, residents nearby have said that ongoing construction has actually caused coastal erosion and ocean surges through living areas, flooding access roads and taking out electricity poles, which has forced residents to relocate. 

In August 2012, the Atlantic surged and overflowed its banks, sweeping 16 people into the sea, killing several. According to an environmental expert, “the ocean surge occurred as a result of the failure of the contractors handling the sand filling activities of the proposed Atlantic Ocean City, to put in place measures that would reduce the effect of the surge on the environment”.