Nigeria is planning to build a new £14 billion city called Centenary City, which it hopes will rival world-renowned destinations like Dubai and Singapore. 

Located just a few miles from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, Centenary City is designed to be a futuristic, eco-friendly urban centre with world-class facilities.

The project is managed by Centenary City FZE and is set to cover 1,260 hectares of land. It will feature a central business district, a financial centre, luxurious hotels, and residential areas. 

It will also include a museum and a cultural centre, an 18-hole golf course, a safari park and sports facilities. 

With a unique focus on sustainable urban living, the city hopes to draw the world’s attention to Nigeria.

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Abdulsalami Abubakar, the chairman of Centenary City Plc and former president of Nigeria, described the project as a “legacy” for Nigeria. He added: “Centenary City will show the investing world Nigeria in a new light.”

Inspired by cities and developments like Dubai, Singapore and Canary Wharf, Abubakar believes the city will become a “revolutionary approach to urbanisation in Africa.”

According to Abubakar, the project could bring significant economic benefits, including creating over 150,000 construction jobs and around 250,000 permanent jobs. 

The city is also expected to accommodate a residential population of about 200,000 and attract roughly 500,000 visitors daily. 

“This is an opportunity to create a city that brings together natural beauty and modern architecture,” Abubakar added, calling it a “solid example for future urban development in Nigeria.”

Furthermore, Centenary City’s free trade zone status, approved by the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), is expected to attract foreign investment. 

The Free Trade Zone (FTZ) designation will allow international businesses to operate with special benefits.

However, the project has faced multiple delays over the last few years, prompting Nigeria’s Senate to investigate the stalled development. 

In May 2024, a committee was formed to review the partnership agreement and ensure the project meets its goals. 

Senator Ashiru Yisa, the Deputy Senate Leader, expressed hopes that the review will “revive and complete the stalled Centenary City Project, to realise its economic and development potential”.