Investment banking occupiers in Lagos typically cluster in Victoria Island (VI), plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($640000–950000/sqft), and pay around 80000 NGN/sqft ($60 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Victoria Island (VI).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($640000–950000/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 80000 NGN/sqft ($60 USD).
• Typical lease: 2 years with 4 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Lagos: 74/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Victoria Island (VI).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($640000–950000/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 80000 NGN/sqft ($60 USD).
• Typical lease: 2 years with 4 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Lagos: 74/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Lagos typically anchor in Victoria Island (VI). Banking, oil and gas (Oando, others), professional services, multinational HQs.

What they pay

Class A rent in Lagos runs 80000 NGN/sqft ($60 USD) on a 2-year lease with 4 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical investment banking fit-out targets trophy specification at $640000–950000/sqft. Bespoke design, signature feature, top-tier MEP and acoustic packages are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount banking office in Lagos typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Bulge-bracket teams favor signature trophy assets with full client-facing programming and large floor plates. Deep banking, oil and gas, fintech, and creative talent. Strong English-language professional base. Strong feed from University of Lagos, Lagos Business School, and Covenant University. Nigeria's tech ecosystem (Flutterwave, Paystack, Andela) anchors deep talent.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 30%. USD-pegged or naira leases (USD common for international tenants). 2-3 year terms standard with renewal options. Often payable annually or 6-monthly in advance. Free rent of 3-6 months on a 3-year deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Lagos?

Most cluster in Victoria Island (VI). Rent runs ~80000 NGN/sqft ($60 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do investment banking occupiers run in Lagos?

Typically trophy at $640000–950000/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a investment banking occupier plan in Lagos?

Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the investment banking vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 523150, 522110.

What is the talent index in Lagos?

74/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Investment banking — global overview
• Lagos — full city profile
• Financial services in Lagos
• Asset management in Lagos
• Legal services in Lagos
• Big tech in Lagos

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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