From Ruins to Resilience: Landmark Africa Moves Beyond Lagos

Landmark Africa’s rumoured decision to relocate its headquarters and expand across Africa tells a bittersweet tale. Critics have linked this decision to the goings-on around the company’s flagship Landmark Beach Resort, a vibrant hub in Lagos, which was abruptly demolished in April 2024, leaving in its wake not just rubble but questions about fairness, governance, and opportunity.

According to analysts, the demolition wiped out years of effort and millions in investments. The beach, acquired in 2006 and further developed with a $30 million loan, became an economic lifeline for over 1,000 employees and 4,000 indirect dependents. And yet, in a matter of hours, such a thriving ecosystem was reduced to nothing.

At that time, Paul Onwuanibe, CEO of Landmark Africa, expressed deep frustration at the chaotic manner of the demolition. Businesses were caught unprepared, unable to retrieve assets as destruction unfolded. “It’s as if years of building a home were undone in a storm,” he remarked somberly.

The government justified the demolition as necessary for a federal highway project, offering N2.7 billion in compensation. Yet, for a company facing losses of up to $80 million and disrupted contracts worth billions of naira, this restitution barely scratched the surface of their economic devastation.

Despite the losses, Onwuanibe has clearly chosen resilience over despair. He plans to establish Landmark Africa’s presence in three Nigerian states and two additional African countries. This strategic diversification offers hope, not just for the company but for countless stakeholders affected by the Lagos setback.

The ripple effects of the demolition extend far beyond Landmark Africa. Local businesses, from hotel operators to roadside vendors, were heavily impacted, losing their primary source of income. The incident draws attention to the need for clearer and more collaborative policies in urban planning and development.

As Landmark Africa rebuilds outside of Lagos and Nigeria, the move symbolises more than a geographical shift. It reflects a determination to turn adversity into opportunity, such that even when the storm dismantles the nest, the bird rebuilds with resilience and purpose.