In Eko Atlantic, the United States commemorates the groundbreaking of a $537 million consulate building

The United States officially kicked off construction on a new, contemporary consulate facility in Lagos on Thursday.

When finished, it will be the world's largest US Consulate.

The US Consulate said in a statement signed by spokesman Temitayo Famutimi that the groundbreaking exemplifies the two countries' long-standing friendship and partnership.

The new consulate is expected to cost $537 million and will be built on a 12.2-acre property in Eko Atlantic City.

The construction project will take about five years to complete, with a completion date of 2027.

"Around $95 million will be spent in the local economy over the course of the project, and the project will employ around 2,500 Nigerian people, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative personnel," according to a statement from the US Consulate.

"These individuals will have the opportunity to learn new technical skills and have a better understanding of safety, which will help them stand out in the local market."

When finished, the new Consulate will "promote diplomatic and commercial relations between the United States and Nigeria, as well as providing American and Nigerian Consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace."

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, and US Consul General Claire Pierangelo were present for the groundbreaking on Thursday.

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard thanked the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government for their support during her remarks at the occasion.

Ambassador Leonard remarked, "Our ambition for this extraordinary Consulate site is to establish a facility that celebrates the dynamic relationship between the United States and Nigeria while also communicating the spirit of American democracy, transparency, and openness."

"People-to-people contact between Nigeria and the United States has a long history of building bridges between our two countries. Consul General Claire Pierangelo said, "We look forward to the many milestones we will continue to achieve together in the future."

The construction project aims towards LEED Silver Certification –– a globally recognized recognition for excellence in high performance, best-in-class, green buildings –– and includes a number of measures aimed at making the structure more sustainable.

The design architect is Ennead Architects LLP of New York, the design/build contractor is Pernix Federal, LLC of Lombard, Illinois, and the architect of record is EYP, Inc. of Albany, New York.