Development is underway for Eko Atlantic, an artificial island-based city by Lagos, Nigeria. The developers of the city claim it will become the economic hub of Nigeria and, perhaps, all of West Africa. It will be protected from rising sea levels by an enormous sea defence wall dubbed 'The Great Wall of Lagos' (1; 2). Nearby locals blame the construction (dredging, in particular) for increased frequency of sea surges and soil erosion (3). A representative from Build with Earth, a Nigerian NGO, stated that the project "is a private gated city firmly grounded on the exploitation and expropriation and use of our common wealth for private profit", while Prince Oniru has argued that the project "is a lifesaver for Victoria Island"--a very affluent part of Lagos--due to its seawall protection (4). The Environmental Impact Assessment--submitted late and after dredging had already begun--has come under heavy fire, with experts across the board agreeing that the "project lacks transparency, participation and doesn’t always adhere to the rule of law". (5). They also claim that the sand stocks are insufficient for construction and that dredging is increasing the energy of waves while the sea wall diverts their impact to the east. (5). The executive director of Spaces for Change claims that in one such surge after dredging began there were several casualties (6). Some critics argue that proponents of the project are taking advantage of climate change to further capitalist gains. In particular, one article refers to Eko Atlantic as 'climate apartheid'. (2).

-up to 10,000m³ of sand moved each day (7)

-five million square metres of land constructed (7)

-about 90 million m³ of sand total will have be dredged from offshore Lagos (8)

-The Great Wall of Lagos will be 8 km in length and made from 100,000 concrete blocks (accropodes) weighing 5 tons each (9)