Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has defended the ongoing demolition of structures in the Makoko waterfront community, describing the exercise as a necessary step to prevent loss of lives and protect critical infrastructure.
The demolitions, which began in December 2025, were carried out on areas the government said fall within power-line setbacks and close to the Third Mainland Bridge.
Speaking on Monday after signing the 2026 appropriation bill into law, Sanwo-Olu said the decision was guided by public safety concerns.
“The protection of lives and property must come first. Recently, a tanker carrying about 33,000 litres of fuel fell from a bridge, and more than 100 people rushed to scoop the fuel. If an accident had occurred, the consequences would have been tragic,” the governor said.
“What we are doing in Makoko is similar. It is not in the interest of government to demolish anyone’s home except where safety is at risk.”
He explained that the exercise was limited and not targeted at the entire community.
“We are only clearing areas that encroach on the Third Mainland Bridge and those built directly under high-tension power lines. These locations are extremely dangerous,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The governor also alleged that some non-governmental organisations had misrepresented the situation for financial gain.
“Some local and international NGOs have turned this into a business. They collect huge funds from donors and then misinform the public. We have engaged them for over two years, but we cannot wait for a disaster before acting,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu announced that the state government would provide support for affected residents.
“I have directed the local councils and relevant ministries to roll out palliatives, consider relocation options and provide grants to those impacted. This is to show that government has a human face,” he stated.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement, has faced repeated demolition threats due to its informal status and proximity to key urban infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Peace Professionals has criticised the manner of the exercise, describing it as harsh and disruptive.
In a statement, its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said, “While government has the authority to enforce planning laws, such actions must be guided by human rights and social responsibility. When development creates homelessness overnight, it becomes displacement.”
The group noted that women and children were the most affected by the demolitions and called for more humane urban renewal policies.
