Lagos has always been the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy, but in 2025, the game has completely changed.

Smart city projects like Eko Atlantic, Alaro City, and Lekki Free Zone are not just buzzwords anymore — they are real, thriving hubs that are redefining real estate investment opportunities in Lagos.

If you’re thinking about buying, investing, or simply understanding where the next big wave is in property, this is the right time to pay attention.

What is a Smart City?

A smart city uses digital technology and data to make life easier, safer, and more efficient for residents.

Think better roads, uninterrupted electricity, clean water, efficient waste management, and smart housing — all working together like clockwork.

Lagos is on a mission to create cities that think, learn, and adapt, making it one of the fastest-emerging smart hubs in Africa.

Major Lagos Smart City Projects to Watch in 2051.

1. 1.Eko Atlantic City

Eko Atlantic is often called the “Dubai of Africa,” and rightly so. Built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean, this city offers:

World-class residential apartments

Top-grade commercial offices

Luxury hotels and entertainment zones

Property prices in Eko Atlantic are rising fast, with a strong influx of international investors.

2. Alaro City

Located within the Lekki Free Zone, Alaro City is designed for mixed-use — industrial, commercial, and residential purposes. It promises:Industrial warehouses

Modern homes Commercial spaces Green parks and world-class roads

Good News: Early investors are already reaping returns as land prices have appreciated significantly since launch.

Smart city projects like Eko Atlantic, Alaro City, and Lekki Free Zone are not just buzzwords anymore — they are real, thriving hubs that are redefining real estate investment opportunities in Lagos.

3. Lekki Free Zone

This project is a full package — industries, ports (Lekki Deep Sea Port), and residential areas, all integrated with technology for easy living.

The Lekki-Epe axis is exploding with demand for residential and industrial real estate.

Why Smart Cities Are Shaping the Future of Real Estate Investment

High Demand for Housing: Tech professionals and foreign investors moving into these smart cities will need accommodation.

Strong Rental Yields:

Short-let apartments and high-end rentals in these zones are already fetching excellent returns.Better Infrastructure:

Investors love stable electricity, good roads, and security — all essentials in smart cities.Increase in Land Value: Buying early in or near these projects can multiply your investment within a few years.

Areas Around Smart Cities You Should Be Watching

Ibeju-Lekki (close to Alaro City and Lekki Free Zone)Victoria Island Extension (near Eko Atlantic) Epe (the new frontier for affordable investments).

Now is the Time to Position Yourself.

The Lagos smart city revolution is not something to watch from afar — it’s happening now.

Early movers are locking down prime properties, while others will pay premium prices later.

If you have been thinking about owning real estate in Lagos, focusing on smart city areas is your golden ticket.Take Action Today!

If you need guidance or help securing high-potential properties, don’t worry — your favorite real estate plug, Dennis Isong, is just a call away.

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For thousands of years, people have been using boats as a means of traveling, trading, and even for sports on water.

But how are boats built? What are the raw materials and tools for building boats? Again, how long does it take to build a boat, and what of the apprenticeship scheme?

Mr AGOSU MATTHEW, a local boat (also called canoe) builder at Badore waterfronts fishermen’s settlement,  Ajah Town in Lagos State, shares the answers with our Editor, Franklin Ocheneyi.

Happy reading:

Tell our readers about yourself.

My name is Agosu Matthew. I am a skilled boat builder. What motivated you to go into building boats?

First, I started as a fisherman. As time passed, I thought deeply about what else I could do to enhance my income from the fishing business.

I consulted with some of my co-fishermen. They advised that I go into boat building, which is an extension of the business.

How long have you been building boats?

I started 25 years ago.

It took me 14 years to acquire the skills, up to 2013, when I graduated from my master.

What are the tools for boat building?

The traditional tools include hammer hammer, axe, nails, Cutlass, and scissors, etc.

What about the woods?

We use the following woods: Opepe, Eru, Agboin, Afara, and parateru

Where do you get these woods?

Makoko at Lagos Island, and Itamagba sawmills market at Ikorodu.

How many pieces of wood make a boat?

It depends on the size of the boat.

For a big boat with 8-10 passenger capacity, we use about twelve pieces of wood.

The small boat takes between 6-7 pieces of wood.

How long does it take to build a boat?

∆ Mr Agosu Matthew at work with his apprentice.

Again, it depends on the size of the Canoe.

Big boat takes up to two weeks if it’s only me working on it without the support of my apprentices, and if I don’t allow other things to distract me from the work.

However, if I have enough hands, it makes the construction faster and the work can be done in seven days.

What are the challenges of the business?

There are many challenges. One of them is getting the modern tools.

I rent those tools we don’t have and because of the pressure to return them within a specific hours, it slows down the pace of the construction and the timely delivery of the project.

Nevertheless, with the introduction of modern tools, the training patterns have changed. So, if an apprentice is humble, focused, brainy, and sharp, he can use four years to acquire the skills.

How is the boat market, in terms of patronage?

∆ An aerial view of the community/ Ohi baba.com image.

People come to buy, or place orders when their boats is spoiling.

These locally made boats last for five years before spoiling.

Sometimes, we sell two boats in a month. The price of a boat is costly. We sell the big boat at N500 thousand, while the small one goes for N300 thousand.

How long does it take to learn the work?

As I said earlier, it took me 14 years to learn under my Master’s.

It took me that long because I had no financial support from anyone.

Nevertheless, with the introduction of modern tools, the training patterns have changed. So, if an apprentice is humble, focused, brainy, and sharp, he can use four years to acquire the skills.

Last, do you have an association for boat builders?

Yes; we have an association at Ikorodu. I belonged to the association ( That’s my membership ID card). The association has a lawyer, and if any challenge should arise, our chairman is the first person to know.

Friday, April 25, 2025:

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal today delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

The Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera.

Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

The investigation started in 2020.

The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

The FCCPC had on July on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour.

The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.