Investors Look to Emerald Haven as Ibeju-Lekki Becomes Lagos’ Next Growth Hub

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

As the landscape of Ibeju-Lekki continues to transform under the weight of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, both small and institutional investors are turning their attention to estates that promise more than just raw plots. The Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port and the proposed international airport have all combined to recast Ibeju-Lekki as perhaps the most talked-about corridor in Lagos’ expansion plans.

According to data from the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, property transactions within the Lekki-Epe axis have surged by over 40% in the past three years alone, with land prices in prime pockets of Ibeju-Lekki appreciating by as much as 200% in under a decade. While this has sparked a frenzy of land banking—often with little consideration for planning or future community development—a more cautious segment of the market is beginning to favour structured estates that guarantee long-term value and clarity.

It is within this climate that Emerald Haven, a development by Meritabode, is drawing interest. Located along the Lekki-Epe corridor, the estate offers what many describe as a future-ready proposition, set against the backdrop of rising investor anxiety over unregulated acquisitions.

Oludotun Oseni, CEO of Meritabode, says what truly sets Emerald Haven apart is the careful attention to infrastructure and long-term planning. “You’ll see many people buying land just to own land, without thinking about roads, drainage or even a proper layout. At Emerald Haven, we’ve done things differently. Our aim is to build an estate where your investment grows along with real development — not just empty promises. We made sure every plot has the right title documents to avoid any future issues. We also introduced zoning within the estate, so different property types are properly organised. That way, development happens in a coordinated way, and it encourages faster growth of the entire community.”
Industry observers note that one of the pressing issues within Ibeju-Lekki has been the prevalence of land sales without title security or coordinated layouts, leaving many buyers with little more than coordinates on bush paths. A recent report by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers cautioned that without a focus on well-planned developments, much of the corridor risked devolving into haphazard settlements that could undercut long-term value.

For Ofure Oseni, General Manager at Meritabode, the attraction of Emerald Haven lies in its promise of certainty. “What we’re seeing now is that even smaller investors, that is, people putting together savings from abroad or local entrepreneurs looking for passive income, are getting smarter. They want to be sure there will be paved roads, drainage, power provisions, and recreational areas, not just an open field with pegs,” she said.

She also pointed to the shifting investor psychology driven by the massive projects anchoring the region. “With the refinery now operational and the port receiving ships, people realise this corridor is no longer just future talk. But they also understand that where and how they buy will determine the actual return they see in 5 to 10 years.”

Emerald Haven’s appeal, according to industry insiders, may also stem from a growing desire for the “Live, work, play” lifestyle-focused communities, a trend that is reshaping suburban investment patterns across Lagos. As more families and professionals look to relocate from the dense mainland and core island areas for both affordability and serenity, well-planned estates offer an immediate template for quality living.

Still, experts caution that while the boom in Ibeju-Lekki is unlikely to slow soon, investors must continue to weigh the credibility of developers, land documentation, and the estate’s master plan before committing funds.

For now, Emerald Haven appears to sit comfortably in a segment of the market that values foresight over mere acreage, positioning itself as a testament to what disciplined estate development could mean for Lagos’ next frontier.