Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has defended the ongoing demolition of structures in Makoko, saying the exercise was carried out to prevent a potential tragedy and protect lives and property.
The governor spoke on Monday after signing the N4.4 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law, amid criticisms trailing the demolition of parts of the waterfront community.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the removal of structures became necessary because many residents had erected shanties under high-tension power lines and around sensitive infrastructure, posing serious safety risks.
“The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded,” the governor said. “I just explained a situation where a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel fell on a bridge and over 100 people were scooping fuel. We had to deploy first responders immediately. If anything had happened, this would be a different conversation.”
Drawing a parallel with the Makoko situation, Sanwo-Olu said the government had no interest in demolishing people’s homes without cause.
“Of what interest would it be for the government to demolish anyone’s structure if not for the overall safety of citizens?” he asked.
He stressed that the demolition was not targeted at the entire Makoko community, contrary to claims in some quarters.
“What we are doing is not demolishing the whole of Makoko. We are clearing areas to ensure they do not encroach on the Third Mainland Bridge and to keep residents away from high-tension lines,” he said.
The governor also accused some local and international non-governmental organisations of exploiting the situation for financial gain, alleging that they had secured large grants from international donors without fulfilling their commitments to the community.
“We are aware that some NGOs want to profit from this. We are studying it and will present evidence. They make so much money from international donors and then shout louder than the bereaved when issues like this arise,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added that the state government had engaged stakeholders on the issue for over two years and could not afford to ignore the looming danger.
“We cannot fold our arms and allow calamity to happen,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also announced that he had directed relevant authorities to roll out palliative measures for residents affected by the demolition.
“I’ve instructed the local government and relevant ministries to see how they can provide additional support, palliatives, relocation options and grants for some of these people, just to show compassion,” he said.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement in Lagos, has over the years faced threats of eviction and demolition due to its informal status and proximity to key urban infrastructure.
Rights groups and civil society organisations have repeatedly called on the government to adopt inclusive urban renewal policies that balance development with the protection of human rights and livelihoods.
An organisation, the Foundation for Peace Professionals, had earlier raised concerns over the demolition, describing the process as inhumane and potentially destabilising.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group acknowledged the constitutional powers of the state government to enforce urban planning regulations but warned that such actions must be guided by human rights principles.
“Women and children were the most affected. Urban development must not be pursued through shock enforcement,” Hamzat said, adding that sudden displacement amounted to homelessness rather than development.
