ABUJA, Nigeria( VOICE OF NAIJA)- The United States is expected to complete and open its $537m consulate project in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, by 2028, a US Mission official has disclosed.
The 10-storey facility, occupying 12.2 acres of land, is projected to inject about $95m into the local economy and provide employment for roughly 2,500 Nigerians, including engineers, architects, artisans and other professionals.
Construction work was actively ongoing at the Eko Atlantic site in late January 2026.
Workers clad in reflective vests were seen operating on several floors of the building, while trucks conveying construction materials moved in and out of the premises.
The continued investment comes amid a tightening of immigration policies in the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration, a development that has affected many Nigerians.
On his inauguration as the 47th President of the US, Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement, including halting citizenship by birth for children of undocumented immigrants.
Reports in January indicated that Nigerians and other African undocumented migrants in the US could be among the next groups targeted for deportation by the American government.
As the Trump administration intensifies its stance against illegal immigration, anxiety over possible deportation persists among many Nigerians living unlawfully in the US.
Upon completion, the US Consulate in Lagos is expected to be the largest in the world, underscoring the strategic importance of the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
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Construction of the complex began in 2022 and was initially scheduled for completion in 2027.
Workers at the site said about four contractors are currently handling different aspects of the project, with some assigned to the main building and others responsible for road and bridge construction.
“They are probably on the last floor,” a security officer at the site said on condition of anonymity. “They are doing concrete casting for the fences,” he added, praising the quality of work being carried out.
“The construction workers work every day except Sundays. Some are doing roads, some are doing the bridge. You can see the bridge over there,” a construction worker, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak, said.
Efforts to obtain comments from the contractors were unsuccessful during the visit, as officials who identified themselves as managers requested an official letter of appointment, a process said to take several weeks.
A private driver identified simply as John, who operates within the Eko Atlantic area, said he did not believe the US government’s recent immigration policies would negatively affect American investments in Nigeria.
“It will not affect investments,” John said, adding that the US remains open to investors. “It’s just the students and others who may be affected. Is there any country that will not allow investments?”
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Speaking on the development, a US Mission official said the New Consulate Compound project is progressing as planned, with occupancy expected in early 2028.
According to the official, the New Consulate Compound 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 New Consulate Compound will provide a new modern space for us to continue to work together, building on the solid foundation already laid in so many areas, from health cooperation and cultural exchanges to security cooperation and our bilateral commercial and investment partnership.
“The project also represents a significant investment in Nigeria’s economy. An estimated $95m is being spent locally throughout the project, supporting the employment of approximately 2,500 Nigerian professionals, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff.
“In addition to creating jobs, the project is equipping workers with new technical expertise and enhanced safety skills that will strengthen their competitiveness in the local labour market long after construction is complete,” the official said.