Residents of demolished Lagos waterfront communities and civil society organisations have raised strong objections to the Lagos State House of Assembly’s recommendation to relocate displaced persons from Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro to a proposed low-cost housing estate in Agbowa, Epe. Community representatives stated that relocation was never discussed or agreed upon during meetings held with lawmakers after the demolition of their homes.
Iroko Temitope, leader of the Makoko Community Youth Association, said residents were taken aback by reports suggesting an agreement had been reached. “That claim is not true. There was no agreement with us about relocating people anywhere,” he stated. “We nominated a committee to represent the community, but the committee itself was not aware of any relocation decision.”
Kojah Phinehas, president of the Makoko Students Association, confirmed that relocation was never concluded during consultations. “What we were told was that our concerns would be presented to members of the House of Assembly and that they would deliberate on them and get back to us,” he said.
Human rights activist Hassan Taiwo, popularly known as Soweto, said residents had consistently demanded compensation for demolished homes, restoration of livelihoods, and inclusion in any redevelopment plan. He warned that relocating residents to distant communities could disrupt their livelihoods and social networks, particularly for those who rely on fishing along the waterfront.
Zikora Ibeh of the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa alleged that the proposal reflects a broader attempt to remove residents from the waterfront community. She called for an independent panel comprising community representatives, civil society groups, legal experts, and urban planning specialists to examine forced evictions in Lagos and propose rights-based solutions.
The demolitions, carried out in late December 2025 and early January, displaced thousands of residents. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to invest about $10 million in regenerating Makoko, including a proposed “water city” project. Palliative measures, including N20 million for food support, have also been set aside for affected residents.
State officials have defended the exercise as necessary to protect lives and infrastructure, noting that buildings along critical waterways and under high-tension power lines pose safety risks.
