The Tallest Building in Lagos, Nigeria 2025: A Symbol of Modern Architecture

Tallest building in Lagos Nigeria

The Tallest Building in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center and one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, is renowned for its energy, innovation, and architectural ambition. Amidst its vibrant skyline, one structure stands tall literally as a symbol of modernity, luxury, and economic progress: the tallest building in Lagos. This architectural marvel isn’t just a towering edifice; it’s a testament to how far the city has come in terms of urban development, engineering excellence, and real estate investment. Rising above the bustling streets and waterside developments, the building commands attention not only for its sheer height but also for its sleek design and state-of-the-art facilities. Whether you’re an architect, investor, tourist, or simply a proud Nigerian, the structure serves as a point of pride, redefining what’s possible in West African architecture. From luxury residences and commercial spaces to world-class amenities and panoramic views, it captures the essence of modern living in a cosmopolitan African city.

In this article, we explore everything there is to know about the tallest buildings in Lagos—from its history and design to its role in shaping the city’s future. Get ready to discover how this iconic landmark is elevating Lagos’ status on the global stage.

THE NECOM HOUSE REMAINS THE TALLEST BUILDING IN NIGERIA!

The Tallest Building in Lagos and Nigeria (2025):
Heights, Developers & Design Facts

Lagos’s skyline is defined by its skyscrapers. The NECOM House (160m, 32 floors, 1979) remains the tallest in Lagos. Other leading skyscrapers include the Champagne Pearl Tower (134m) and Union Bank Building (124m), and other offplans, which are among the tallest building in Lagos Nigeria today. The Ikoyi complex 4 Bourdillon (102.6m) is the tallest residential project in Lagos.

Key details are:

NECOM HOUSE
Overview of Tallest Buildings in Lagos

Name: NECOM House
Location: Marina, Lagos Island
Height: 160 meters (525 feet)
Number of Floors: 32
Year Completed: 1979

Formerly known as the NET Building, the NECOM House was built to serve as the headquarters for the Nigerian External Communications (NECOM), later known as NITEL. Even in 2025, it remains the tallest building in the country, outlasting many modern competitors.

Design and Architecture

The NECOM House reflects the bold and functional style of the late 20th century. Designed with reinforced concrete and built to endure the coastal elements of Lagos, it was also fitted with a telecommunications spire that doubles as a lighthouse beacon for Lagos Harbour. The structure is a blend of utilitarian purpose and ambitious scale.

Function and Usage

Originally constructed to serve as the headquarters of the Nigerian External Communications (NECOM), the NECOM House was primarily a government building designed to manage the country’s international telecommunications. It later became the central hub for the now-defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), playing a crucial role in national communication and connectivity. Over time, as Nigeria’s telecommunications sector was liberalized and technology advanced, the original purpose of the NECOM House evolved.

Today, while it no longer functions as the exclusive center for national telecommunications, the building has been partially repurposed for commercial use, housing various corporate offices and service providers. This adaptive reuse has helped keep the building relevant in the modern economy, even though some floors remain underutilized or reserved for government functions.

Despite its age, NECOM House remains off-limits to tourists due to its operational nature and security protocols. However, it continues to be a vital part of Lagos’ infrastructure. Not only because of its strategic location on Lagos Island but also because of the telecommunications mast it still supports. This mast is an important beacon for maritime navigation, making the building not just a landmark but also a functional asset to the city’s communication and transport systems.

4 Bourdillon (102.6m) is the tallest residential project in Lagos.

FirstBank Tower at Eko Atlantic: Nigeria’s New Tallest Building

Construction Status & Timeline

As of May 2025, FirstBank Tower a 43-storey, 252 m skyscraper in Eko Atlantic City—is under construction. Ground was officially broken on March 5, 2025, and the project is slated for completion by 2028, at which point it will become the tallest building in Lagos, Nigeria.

FirstBank Tower a 43-storey will become the tallest building in Lagos.

Design & Sustainability Features

Green Certification: Built to global green-building standards, it features solar façades, optimized natural-light atriums, and rainwater-harvesting systems to minimize its carbon footprint.
Materials & Systems: The sleek glass envelope conceals high-efficiency HVAC, recycled steel structural elements, and smart-lighting controls—cutting operational costs and showcasing eco-innovation.
Smart Technology: Integrated building-management systems will monitor energy usage in real time and auto-adjust to maintain peak efficiency.

Economic & Urban Impact

Job Creation: The construction phase is projected to generate thousands of jobs in engineering, real estate, and services.
Business Hub: Situated on reclaimed ocean land in Eko Atlantic fast becoming West Africa’s financial district—the tower will house leading banking professionals and tech experts.
Investment Magnet: Its status as the nation’s tallest building will boost surrounding property values, attract global investors, and cement Lagos’s reputation as a world-class business destination.

The Oak Heights
A Bold Vision for the Tallest Residential Building in Lagos, Nigeria

Oak-heights-day — The Oak Heights by Oak Homes

Before the FirstBank Tower shook up the skyline in 2025, The Oak Heights was the name on everyone’s lips. When Oak Homes unveiled its plans in 2023 for a 38-floor ultra-luxury high-rise at Eko Atlantic City, many industry watchers and real estate insiders hailed it as a game-changing project, expected to become the tallest building in Lagos Nigeria.

Of course, FirstBank has since raised the stakes with its 43-floor commercial behemoth. But Oak Homes isn’t sweating it, because while they may no longer hold the record for the overall tallest structure, The Oak Heights is still on track to be the tallest residential building in Nigeria.

This architectural marvel isn’t just about height—it’s a statement of lifestyle, design, and innovation. Towering over the Atlantic shoreline, The Oak Heights blends ultra-modern aesthetics with practical elegance, offering 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom apartments, and 4-bedroom penthouse residences that redefine luxury living in Lagos.

Spanning over 50,000 square meters, this skyscraper offers not just living spaces but an ecosystem for sophisticated living. Residents will enjoy:

Suspended private pools in maisonettes and villas
75-foot-long infinity pool
Floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic ocean and city views
Smart home automation and security systems
Spa rooms, rooftop lounges, golf-in-the-sky experience
State-of-the-art fitness centers, conference rooms, and helipads

Oak Heights also offers a unique work-play lifestyle model, blending premium office spaces with indulgent amenities for professionals who want more from their environment. It’s not just where you live—it’s where your life thrives.

Check for other >> Oak Homes Properties <<

While Oak Homes may have playfully lost the race to the tallest building in Nigeria, they’ve quietly claimed a more refined title: Nigeria’s tallest residential tower and arguably, the most luxurious.

Oak Heights is poised to be a beacon of architectural excellence and lifestyle innovation, proving once again that Oak Homes doesn’t just build; it dares, disrupts, and delivers.

Why It Matters: By combining record-breaking height with 74 exclusive, tech-enabled residences and world-class amenities, The Oak Heights will set a new benchmark for luxury living in Lagos.

Champagne Pearl Tower (Eko Atlantic City)

Overview:
Champagne Pearl is a 134m-tall luxury residential skyscraper (30 storeys) in the Eko Atlantic “Marina” district. Completed in 2017, it was briefly Nigeria’s tallest residential building. Designed by Tabet Atelier d’Architecture, its sleek facade uses glass and steel framed in reinforced concrete. The building offers high-end amenities (swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, fitness centre, lounges), making it a prominent landmark on the Lagos coastline.

Developer/Owner: Developed by ESLA International (Elias Saad Leading Association), a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group (built by Eko Pearl Construction Co).
Architecture: 30 floors with 4 apartments per floor; façade of glass, steel, aluminum and reinforced concrete.
Height & Completion: 134 m (440 ft) tall; topped out in 2017.
Price/Rent: 3-bedroom apartments list around ₦750 million; 4-bedroom units ~US$1.45 million (≈₦2.32 billion). Short-term 3BR rents are ~₦3.6 million per month.
Skyline Significance: It is the tallest residential tower in Nigeria and a signature Eko Atlantic high-rise. It ranks just below Lagos’s NECOM House as one of the city’s highest buildings

Union Bank Building (36 Marina, Lagos Island)

Union Bank Building is a historic 28-storey office tower (124 m) at 36 Marina Road. Completed in 1991, it serves as the headquarters of Union Bank of Nigeria. Its design was executed by Modulor Group Architects, and it was constructed by CCMC International. Today Union Bank of Nigeria remains the owner. The tower’s sleek rectangular form and central location have made it a longstanding landmark in Lagos’s Marina financial district.

Owner: Union Bank of Nigeria (bank headquarters).
Architecture: 28 floors; designed by Modulor Group, with curtain-wall façade typical of 1990s office towers.
Height & Completion: 124 m (407 ft); completed 1991.
Function: Commercial office building (Union Bank HQ).
Skyline Significance: One of Lagos’s tallest skyscrapers of its era. It remains among Nigeria’s tallest (3rd as of its completion) and a fixture of Lagos Island’s skyline.

4 Bourdillon (Ikoyi, Lagos)

4 Bourdillon is an iconic twin-tower residential complex at 4 Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi. Each tower rises to 102.6 m (25 floors). Completed in 2020, it was developed by Kaizen Properties (TGI Group) in partnership with El-Alan Group. The design was led by P&T Architects and Design Group Nigeria. The project contains 41 luxury units (3–4 BR flats and 5 BR duplexes) and premium amenities: landscaped gardens, swimming pools (including water-cascade feature), tennis court, gym, clubhouse and ample underground parking. Penthouse units feature roof gardens and curved balconies, with a glazed balustrade allowing 360° views of Lagos Island.

Developer: Joint venture of Kaizen Properties (TGI Group) and El-Alan Group.
Architect & Style: Contemporary twin tower; architects P&T and Design Group Nigeria.
Height & Completion: 102.6 m; 25 floors (topped out 2020).
Price/Rent: Sales from about US$1.53 million for smaller units. (One 4-bedroom unit is listed at ~$1.45M/≈₦2.32B.) Premium rents and purchases reflect its luxury status.
Amenities: 41 apartments with high-end finishes; features include marble floors, integrated smart-home systems, private terraces, concierge service, fitness and leisure facilities.
Skyline Significance: The tallest residential building in Ikoyi, setting a new height standard for Lagos’s upscale neighborhoods.

The Oak Towers – Eko Atlantic City

A contemporary 26-storey marvel, The Oak Towers fuses cutting-edge technology with refined design for an unparalleled residential experience.

Developer: Oak Homes
Height & Floors: 26 floors
Completion: Off-plan (est. delivery 2026)

Unit Mix & Sizes:
- 2-bedroom apartments (150 m²)
- 3-bedroom apartments (230 m²)
- 4-bedroom penthouses (400 m²)
  
  Signature Amenities:
  - Suspended swimming pools in maisonettes and penthouses
  - Private helipad
  - “Golf in the Sky” rooftop putting green
  - 24-hour concierge & security
  - State-of-the-art fitness center & spa rooms
  - Lavishly appointed lobby & private lounges
  - Library and co-working spaces
  - Conference rooms with video-conferencing technology
    
    Design Highlights:
    - Floor-to-ceiling windows bathing each unit in natural light
    - Full home automation and smart-climate controls
    - Premium materials: Italian marble, walnut joinery, brass accents
    - Expansive balconies overlooking the Atlantic

With its mix of smart-home tech, bespoke finishes, and an array of lifestyle amenities—plus a private helipad—the Oak Towers exemplify the future of ultra-luxury urban living in Lagos.

Other Notable Tall Buildings Outside Lagos (Abuja & Other States)

Apart from Lagos, Nigeria’s tallest skyscrapers cluster in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and major state capitals. For example, Cocoa House in Ibadan (pictured below) was West Africa’s first skyscraper, and newer developments like the World Trade Centre towers in Abuja redefine those cities’ skylines.

Cocoa House (Ibadan, Oyo State) 105 m, 26 floors; completed 1965. Built with Western Region cocoa proceeds, it was once Nigeria’s tallest building and the first skyscraper in West Africa. Today it houses offices (including those of Odu’a Investment Company).

World Trade Centre Tower 2 (Abuja, FCT) – 120 m, 25 floors; completed 2016 (commercial office use). It is part of a mixed-use complex developed by First Intercontinental Properties (Churchgate Group). Designed by Woods Bagot, the tower features a modern glass and aluminum curtain wall (heat-resistant, non-flammable cladding) and advanced building systems. (It is the tallest building in Abuja.)
World Trade Centre Tower 1 (Abuja, FCT) – 110 m, 24 floors; topped out 2015 (residential/office). Also in the WTC complex, this tower briefly held Nigeria’s tallest-residential title. It shares the same developer/architect as Tower 2.
CBN Headquarters (Abuja, FCT) – 94 m, 11 floors; completed 2002. This government office tower houses the Central Bank of Nigeria.
NNPC Towers (Abuja, FCT) – ~75 m, 15 floors; completed 1996. Four identical towers (NNPC 1–4) serve as corporate offices for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Dakkada Towers (Uyo, Akwa Ibom State) – 108.8 m, 21 floors; completed 2020. A modern mixed-use “smart” high-rise in Uyo’s business district, combining office space with retail (including the Ibom Tropicana Mall). It symbolizes Akwa Ibom’s urban development push.
Cocoa House (Ibadan, Oyo State)
A 105 m, 26 floors; completed 1965. (Also listed above.) First skyscraper in West Africa; built with cocoa revenue; now a commercial office tower managed by Odu’a Investment.

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Final Thoughts: A Skyline That Tells the Story of a Rising Nation

The race to build the tallest building in Lagos Nigeria is more than a competition of steel and glass—it’s a bold declaration of the country’s rising global stature. From commercial giants like the FirstBank Tower to luxurious residential icons like The Oak Heights and The Oak Towers, each structure adds a new chapter to the evolving narrative of Nigerian excellence in architecture, innovation, and lifestyle.

These buildings do more than change the skyline—they reshape expectations. They show that Nigeria is not only keeping pace with global real estate trends but also setting new benchmarks for design, sustainability, and luxury living on the African continent.

As Lagos continues to grow into a world-class metropolis, and developments like Eko Atlantic City draw in global investment, the skyline becomes a reflection of the ambitions of developers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who believe in Nigeria’s future.

Whether you’re a real estate enthusiast, an investor, or simply someone captivated by great architecture, the story of Lagos’s tallest buildings is a powerful reminder: The sky is no longer the limit—it’s just the beginning.

Sources:
Authoritative skyscraper databases and news reports have been used to compile details on developers, design, height and uses of these buildings wikipedia on eko pearl, wikipedia on eko Towers, wikipedia on world trade centre , wikipedia on cocoa house

All information is current as of 2025.

See pictures of some high-rise building in Lagos Nigeria:

Interesting Facts

NECOM House is the tallest building in West Africa.
Its spire acts as a navigation aid for ships entering Lagos.
It survived a fire outbreak in 1983, demonstrating its structural resilience.

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The Tallest Building in Lagos, Nigeria 2025: A Symbol of Modern Architecture

The Tallest Building in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction

The Tallest Building in Lagos and Nigeria (2025):
Heights, Developers & Design Facts