Makoko crisis deepens amid Lagos urban reform, residents resist relocation

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

In parts of Makoko, where homes once stood above the lagoon, only broken stilts and floating wood remain, a reminder of a community caught between survival and urban reform.

Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement in Lagos, has long faced threats of eviction and demolition due to its informal status and proximity to key urban infrastructure.

Since late December 2025, demolition teams have moved through sections of the settlement, pulling down structures and displacing thousands of residents.

For many, the experience has been sudden and disorienting, leaving them stranded and their belongings scattered across the water.

Officials say the situation forms part of a broader government plan aimed at rehabilitation and long-term urban reform.

The Lagos State Government maintains that its actions are driven by safety concerns, environmental risks, and the need to manage Lagos’ rapid growth.

Speaking after signing the N4.4tn 2026 appropriation bill into law, the governor said the demolitions were carried out to avert potential tragedy.

“The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded,” he said.

He added that some of the affected structures were located under high-tension power lines and near critical infrastructure.

“We are not demolishing all of Makoko,” he said, noting that the objective is to remove unsafe structures and reduce risk.

Makoko is not new to such interventions. The settlement, which dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, has experienced demolition attempts in 2005, 2012, and now again in 2026.

Over the years, homes belonging to tens of thousands of residents, many of whom depend on fishing for their livelihood, have been destroyed.

The community faces challenges including overcrowding, poor sanitation, and vulnerability to flooding and fire, forming the basis of the government’s position that Makoko, in its current state, is unsafe and unsustainable.

Beyond demolition, the state has outlined a long-term vision for redevelopment.

Since 2021, officials say about $2M has been committed to planning Makoko’s regeneration, with expectations of additional funding from international partners.

The plan aims to transition parts of the community into a more structured and habitable environment, with improved housing, sanitation, and access to basic services.

A key component of the strategy is relocation. The Lagos State House of Assembly has recommended moving affected residents to areas such as Agbowa in Epe, where new housing could be developed.

However, the proposal has been met with resistance.

Many residents argue that relocation threatens their livelihoods, which are closely tied to the lagoon. Fishing and water-based trade are not easily transferable to inland settlements.

Community representatives have also raised concerns over the lack of prior consultation and uncertainty surrounding compensation and resettlement plans, describing the demolitions as forced evictions and calling for a halt to the exercise.

The demolition has sparked protests, with residents demanding dialogue and clarity on their future.

The situation highlights a delicate balance. On one hand, Lagos, Africa’s largest city, is under pressure to modernise and address growing urban risks. On the other, communities like Makoko represent long-standing social and economic systems that are not easily dismantled.

A successful rehabilitation effort, analysts say, must go beyond demolition. It requires inclusive planning, community engagement, and solutions that protect both lives and livelihoods.

The government has recently paused demolition exercises and entered discussions with community representatives over compensation and next steps.

For residents, however, the issue goes beyond policy. It is about shelter, livelihood, and belonging.

Across Makoko, life continues amid uncertainty. Boats still move, children paddle to school, and families rebuild, even as the future remains unclear.

The outcome of the process is expected to shape future policies on informal settlements across Lagos State.

For now, Makoko remains caught between the urgency of urban reform and the realities of the people who live on its waters.