Keji Giwa unveils “Eko Miami” as new Lagos coastal development plan

Keji Giwa, founder of Digital Landlords, has presented a new development concept for the Okunde Bluewater Tourism Zone in Lagos, outlining a plan to reshape the city’s coastline into what he calls “Eko Miami”.

The proposal sets out a model that links real estate, tourism and investment into a single system. Giwa said the concept draws lessons from South Beach but is designed for local use. He stated that the aim is not to copy an existing model but to “translate a proven global success into a unified, state-backed ecosystem”.

At the centre of the proposal is the idea of a destination economy. Plans include beachfront housing, hotels and spaces for leisure and entertainment. The project is expected to support a system where residents and visitors can live, work and spend within the same area.

The development plan also outlines residential buildings facing the Atlantic Ocean, alongside resorts and public spaces. One of the proposed projects, The Carnelian, is designed with glass structures and wide outdoor views. According to Giwa, the intention is to create a setting where “the boundary between home and the Atlantic horizon” is reduced.

The Okunde Bluewater area is located near Eko Atlantic City and close to the new Coastal Road. Analysts say the location places it within a corridor that is already attracting investment. Giwa said this area could become “a concentrated district of global-standard assets” and extend Lagos’ current development pattern along the coast.

The proposal is also based on recent tourism data in Lagos. Reports show that the 2024 “Detty December” period drew about 1.2 million visitors, with revenue of more than ₦111 billion. In 2025, participation rose to about 3.6 million people, with spending of nearly ₦396.54 billion. A large share of this activity came from diaspora visitors.

Giwa said these figures show an existing demand that is not yet fully supported by infrastructure. “Nigeria has always had the raw ingredients – the coastline, the energy, and the diaspora interest,” he said. “Eko Miami is the blueprint for how we turn our natural assets into a multi-billion-dollar global brand city.”

He added that the project could help move Lagos from seasonal tourism to year-round activity. The plan also includes investment structures with assets priced in foreign currency, which Giwa said could offer a hedge for investors operating in Nigeria.

Through Digital Landlords, Giwa has focused on projects linked to leisure and property use. His earlier project, Giwa Gardens Water Park, showed interest in paid recreational spaces. The Eko Miami plan extends that approach into a wider city model that combines housing, tourism and commerce.

If implemented, the proposal could influence how coastal areas in Lagos are developed. It may also shape how cities in Africa position themselves in global tourism and investment markets. For now, the project remains at the concept stage, but it has added to ongoing discussions about the future of Lagos as a centre for tourism and real estate growth.