US TO OPEN $537M CONSULATE IN EKO ATLANTIC BY 2028
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The United States is set to open its $537 million consulate complex in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, by 2028, a US Mission official has disclosed.
The 10-storey facility, which occupies 12.2 acres of land, is expected to be the largest US consulate in the world. The project is also projected to inject about $95 million into Nigeria’s economy and provide employment for approximately 2,500 Nigerians, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff.
Construction work was ongoing at the site during a visit by our correspondent to Eko Atlantic in late January 2026. Workers wearing reflective jackets were seen operating on several floors of the structure, while trucks conveying building materials moved in and out of the premises.
The massive investment continues despite the ongoing clampdown on immigrants under the administration of US President Donald Trump, whose policies have affected several Nigerians living illegally in the United States. On his inauguration as the 47th President of the US, Trump signed executive orders tightening immigration laws, including ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
Earlier reports had indicated that Nigerians and other African nationals may be among those targeted for deportation under the renewed enforcement drive, heightening fears among undocumented immigrants in the US.
Construction of the consulate began in 2022 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2027, but occupancy is now expected in early 2028.
Workers at the site told our correspondent that at least four contractors are handling different components of the project, including the main building, roads, and bridge infrastructure.
“They are probably working on the last floor,” a security officer at the site said on condition of anonymity. “Concrete casting is ongoing for the fences, and the quality of work is impressive.”
Another construction worker said activities at the site run daily except Sundays, with different teams assigned to specific tasks such as road construction and bridge work.
Attempts to get comments from contractors were unsuccessful, as site managers requested formal appointment letters, a process expected to take several weeks.
A private driver operating within Eko Atlantic, identified simply as John, said he did not believe US immigration policies would negatively affect American investments in Nigeria.
“It will not affect investments. Investors are still welcome in the US. It’s mostly students and illegal residents that may be affected,” he said.
Confirming the project’s status, a US Mission official said the New Consulate Compound is progressing as scheduled and represents more than a physical structure.
“It is a tangible expression of the longstanding bilateral partnership that has defined our journey together for over 65 years,” the official said.
According to the official, the facility will provide a modern space to deepen cooperation between both countries across sectors such as health, security, cultural exchange, and trade.
Beyond infrastructure, the official noted that the project is equipping Nigerian workers with new technical expertise and enhanced safety skills, improving their competitiveness in the labour market long after construction is completed.
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