Governor Babajde Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, at the weekend, commissioned the renovated state-of-the-art 8-floor Afriland Towers office building, owned by Afriland Properties Plc, a leading institutional real estate owner and developer, with a portfolio in excess of N100bn.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, a lead investor in Afriland Properties Plc, who he said “continues to make Nigeria proud. His example of making strategic investments in infrastructure, that creates public good, is one we should all applaud. It is an honour to be here this afternoon to see yet again, an underperforming asset turned into what we are witnessing here”.
Afriland, the governor noted, “is making long-term investments, that are greatly helping the revival of Central Business District of Lagos – I am delighted that Afriland is so clearly contributing to the redevelopment of Lagos. I want to thank the board and management of Afriland Properties for taking this bold initiative. You have put real money where your mouth is.
“I can assure you that we have seen you as a partner and we will continue to collaborate with you. We are going to rebuild all our buildings to meet with the international standard Afriland Properties has set, and so, we are just going to ask all of you: If you want to build anything in Lagos, just go to Afriland.
“We are in government because we want the private sector to work, to thrive and to do well. When the private sector does well, the government does well, when the government does well, then our people benefit. We tackle poverty, unemployment, and education – something I am absolutely committed to”.

“We plan to rebuild some of our old structures in Lagos state such as the old Oluwole market, the children’s hospital at Martins Street, among others. We will also be building a cable car project into Lagos Island and all the buildings that have gone down will be rebuilt to meet up with international standards that Afriland has shown us here today,” Sanwo Olu added.
In his own remark, while commending the governor’s vision of a prosperous Lagos and emphasised the importance of private-public collaboration to catalyse development and employment in Lagos, Elumelu expressed gratitude to Sanwo-Olu for he represents.
“He wants a world-class and prosperous environment, something I share – investment in infrastructure, whether power, buildings or indeed human capital – is something I believe in fundamentally.
He said, “It is interesting to note that Afriland has been developing some iconic properties, and today is a wonderful and joyous moment to see that this building which has a lot of rich history, is back to life. We call it the rebirth, and we appreciate all the planning that has gone into the creation of this beautiful and clean world-class masterpiece’. Elumelu hinted at plans of Afriland to develop more iconic properties in the near future, adding that given its expertise and its pedigree, the people of Lagos were in for a huge surprise.
Elumelu said, “Indeed, this is just a tip of what we want to do at Falamo in Ikoyi. We are going to develop a world-class integrated complex at Falomo, and everyone will be pleased at the outcome.
The governor also commissioned a new branch of UBA Plc
The Managing Director, Afriland Properties, Uzo Oshogwe, recalled that Afriland Towers, the former Raymond House, was built in 1886 and added that its rebirth showed that the company believed in the potential that could be achieved at the edifice.
They were joined by dignitaries including the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu and Erelu Angela Adebayo, Founding Chairperson, Afriland Properties Plc, as well as Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu.

Photo 1: The newly commissioned Afriland Towers in Lagos Island

Caption: From left to right: Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and UBA Group Plc; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Uzo Oshogwe, CEO, Afriland Properties Plc; Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson, Avon Healthcare; Emmanuel Nnorom, CEO, Heirs Holdings; at the commissioning of the Afriland Towers, over the weekend.