The United States on Thursday officially marked the beginning of construction on a new, modern consulate building in Lagos.
The construction project will take approximately five years, with completion expected in 2027.
When completed it will be the largest US Consulate in the world.
In a statement signed by spokesperson Temitayo Famutimi, the US Consulate said the groundbreaking highlights the enduring bilateral friendship and partnership between the US and Nigeria.
The project will employ approximately 2,500 Nigerian citizens, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff,” the US Consulate statement said.
The new Consulate, when completed, is expected to “support diplomatic and commercial relations between the United States and Nigeria and will provide American and Nigerian Consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace.”
At the ground opening on Thursday were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and U.S. Consul General Claire Pierangelo.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard expressed appreciation to Federal Government and the Lagos State Government for their support.