President Bola Tinubu performed the groundbreaking ceremony for FirstBank’s new 43-storey eco-friendly headquarters in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, which is set to become the tallest building in Nigeria.
Persecondnews reports that currently, the tallest building in Nigeria is the 32-storey NECOM House in Lagos that was completed in 1979.
Tinubu, speaking at the occasion, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a sustainable and globally competitive financial system to allow Nigerian banks and other financial institutions to thrive.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu, disclosed this in a statement posted on X.com on Wednesday.
Board Chairman, First Bank Holdings, Mr. Femi Otedola, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and billionaire Aliko Dangote attended the ceremony.
Other dignitaries included Lagos Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Dr. Deji Adeleke, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Senator Daisy Danjuma, and business magnates Gilbert and Roland Chagoury.
The statement reads:“President #officialABAT has said that his administration is working assiduously to create a system that is sustainable and globally competitive, enabling Nigerian banks and other financial institutions to thrive.
“He noted that government policies under his administration are driven by the reality that the nation no longer has the luxury of time to postpone its economic transformation.”
Tinubu who noted that banks can only prosper under a thriving economy, however, pointed out that everything his administration does—and sets out to accomplish—rests on the cooperation and capacity of financial institutions.
“Banks are the engines of economic growth, and we owe it to them to champion a system that guarantees sustainability and global competitiveness.
“Our expectation is for our banks to excel, expand beyond our shores, and earn their place among the world’s most viable and profitable enterprises,” he said.
At the occasion, Sanwo-Olu, alongside his Special Adviser on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, and the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), Gbolahan Oki, presented the Certificate of Approval to the FirstHoldCo Chairman, Otedola, and FirstBank Group CEO, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu.
The event marks a historic milestone, as the structure is set to become Nigeria’s tallest building.
Sanwo-Olu praised FirstBank Group’s vision and leadership, describing the project as a transformative investment that would redefine the future of Eko Atlantic City.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in turning the former Bar Beach into a thriving financial hub.
“FirstBank is once again leading the way. This is a clarion call for other financial institutions to follow suit. Lagos is set to be the financial powerhouse of Africa, and we are committed to providing the right environment for investors,” he said.
The governor noted that the FirstBank headquarters would solidify Lagos’ status as Africa’s financial epicenter, coming just a day after the foundation-laying for the Lagos International Financial Centre.
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