An abandoned property condemned as a “kidnappers’ den” is the proposed site of Africa’s tallest building — a 60-story skyscraper in Abeokuta, capital of Nigeria’s Ogun state, according to a DailyTrust story in AllAfrica.
The skyscraper, if built, will rise on the site of former government buildings that fell into disrepair, and will be the tallest in Africa, the report says.
Carlton Centre: 732 feet, 50 stories, built in 1973 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Hassan II Mosque: 690 feet: built in 1993 in Casablanca, Morocco.
Ponte City Apartments: 568 feet, 54 stories, built in 1975 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Bahia Center: 528 feet, 31 stories, built in 2008 in Oran, Algeria.
NITEL Building, 520 feet, 32 stories, built in 1979 in Lagos, Nigeria
Marble Towers: 499 feet, 32 stories, built in 1973 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pearl Dawn: 499 feet, 31 stories, built in 2010 in Durban, South Africa.
South African Reserve Bank Building: 490 feet, 38 stories, built in 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Metlife Centre: 490 feet, 28 stories, built in 1993 in Cape Town, South Africa.
88 on Field: 482 feet, 26 stories, built in 1985 in Durban, South Africa.
The Nigerian skyscraper project is being financed by Urbanisima Ltd., a Malaysia-based company.
The master plan of the 60-story skyscraper is being finalized, said Mohammed Afeez, urban designer and project director of the proposed Abeokuta City Centre.
Skyscraper plans include a shopping mall, recreation center, tower, office complex, hotels and convention center.
Members of the government’s technical committee visited Malaysia for a week-long training on the design of the master plan.
Features in the proposed Abeokuta City Centre and Government City will redefine the skyline and landscape of the Ogun State capital, said Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Dato Sri Mustapha Mohammed.
Bringing Nigeria’s Gateway State out of infrastructural decay is a step in the right direction and will attract investors, Mohammed said.
The skyscraper will make Ogun the envy of the world, said Bello Shehu Ringim, who congratulated the Nigerian ambassador to Malaysia.
The skyscraper project has its critics.
Some argue it’s the lowest priority of the people of Ogun State.
“The masses are yearning for better roads, power supply, water, good hospitals, good affordable schools,” said Olagbebikan, describing the project as a white elephant. “The money or loan spent or to be spent on this grandiose project that soon may suffer decay and collapse due to the non-availability of basic infrastructural support, should not be given the priority accorded it.”
A proponent disagreed. “This is development,” said Shodeinde Ebenezer. “Development brings jobs, opportunities and tax revenue for roads and the other things.”
With Lagos’ overflowing population, Ogun State must be ready to absorb the overflow so there has to be investments and infrastructure upgrades, he said.
A Shoprite plaza is already earmarked on the land.
