New U.S. Embassy Office Annex in Abuja, Nigeria Dedicated

(L-R) Undersec for Mgt Patrick Kennedy, Amb Usman of MFA and Amb James Entwistle   
Photo: US Embassy, Abuja, Nigeria

Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
November 7, 2014

In an important symbol of our commitment and enduring relationship with Nigeria, U.S. Under Secretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria James F. Entwistle, and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Managing Director for Program Development, Coordination and Support Joseph W. Toussaint, alongside local officials including Ambassador Usman Baraya, the Chief of Protocol for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dedicated the New Office Annex at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja today.

The new addition to the embassy complex in Abuja provides employees with a safe, secure, and modern workplace. With a total project budget of $162 million, the new facilities include a New Office Annex, a U.S. Marine Security Guard residence, a support annex, parking, and community facilities.

The project incorporates numerous sustainable features to conserve resources and reduce operating costs, including an extensive array of photovoltaic panels on the top deck of the parking structure, the use of occupancy sensors and light shelves at windows, and LED lighting. Sunshades at strategic locations reduce heat gain. Water-saving plumbing fixtures and the use of locally appropriate plants will reduce water use.

AECOM of Arlington, VA is the design architect and PAGE of Washington, D.C., is the architect of record. B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama constructed the multi-building addition to the Embassy complex.

Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has completed 118 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 41 projects in design or under construction.

OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities should represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.