Lagos is witnessing an unprecedented construction boom, with new estates and luxury developments springing up across the city. Along the Lekki–Epe Expressway alone, more than 120 new estates have emerged in 2025, reshaping the skyline and transforming the coastline.
The state’s coastal geography is also being redrawn. Massive sand-filling projects are creating new land and entire islands, such as Eko Atlantic, Orange Island, Shoreline, and Cowrie Creek – exclusive enclaves catering to the wealthiest Lagosians. Banana Island and Eko Atlantic City are being expanded, while several estates along the Chevron-Lekki axis are also undergoing reclamation.
Government efforts to improve water transport include building new jetties to connect these rapidly developing areas, offering alternatives to Lagos’ congested roads. The newly completed sections of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway have further opened up the corridor from Victoria Island to Eleko, adding more land to Eko Atlantic and spurring even more development.
But the boom comes with a price. Landmark Beach, once a popular hangout, has vanished in just over a year, swallowed by new land reclamation works. Environmentalists warn that many coastal areas remain vulnerable to flooding, with some communities already seeing their homes collapse into the sea.
Authorities have begun cracking down on illegal reclamation and construction. At a recent Lagos conference, developers were served demolition orders for unauthorized projects along the coastline.
Meanwhile, existing waterfront communities like Makoko – home to an estimated 250,000 residents – are under scrutiny. Rather than demolish the iconic “floating city,” government officials are exploring ways to improve living conditions while preserving its unique way of life.
Inside the city, the building trend is upward. Ikoyi and Victoria Island now boast skyscrapers that have radically altered the skyline. Eko Atlantic is filled with 12-storey-plus buildings, while some of Ikoyi’s latest luxury towers rise 24 floors high. Kingsway/Alfred Rewane Road and Ozumba Mbadiwe Road are fast becoming corridors of towering glass structures.
Despite the building frenzy, most new developments remain out of reach for average Lagosians. Housing affordability continues to be a pressing issue, with rental prices soaring and demand far outstripping supply. Observers are urging the government to focus on inclusive housing policies to ensure the city’s growth benefits all residents – not just the elite.
By: Caroline Akinlotan
Source: Business Day
