Makoko Demolitions: Coalition Questions Sincerity, Urges Urgent Urban Renewal

The Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) has called for honesty and swift action by all stakeholders in the ongoing controversy surrounding recent demolitions in Makoko, warning that delays could expose residents to grave safety risks.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the group said the blame game between the state government and affected residents had obscured the core issue of public safety. CGG recalled that parts of Makoko had previously been cleared in 2005 and 2012 due to what authorities described as dangerous living conditions, particularly the erection of structures beneath high-tension power lines.
The coalition acknowledged Makoko’s long-standing challenges, noting estimates that its population ranges from 80,000 to 250,000 people living in stilted wooden homes over the lagoon with limited access to sanitation, potable water and electricity. According to CGG, these conditions have made the community economically vulnerable and environmentally precarious.
It argued that regulatory concerns cited by the government—such as flood risks, fire hazards and unplanned structures—were valid from an urban management standpoint. CGG said discussions were previously held between state officials and community leaders, resulting in an agreement for residents to remove structures that violated safety standards, particularly those under power lines.
However, the coalition claimed that residents failed to fully honour the agreement, prompting government intervention. While expressing sympathy for families who lost homes and livelihoods, CGG maintained that the state had a constitutional duty to prevent actions that endangered lives and public safety.
The group commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for ordering a temporary suspension of the demolitions and constituting a committee to mediate the dispute. It also welcomed assurances by the state government to enumerate affected properties and adopt what it described as a “human face” in resolving the crisis.
In its demands, CGG urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sustain efforts to clear hazardous areas and implement an urban development programme for Makoko, warning that inaction could lead to catastrophic loss of life. The coalition called for renewed sincerity, trust and communication among all parties to ensure that the outcome benefits residents, Lagos State and the wider Federal Republic of Nigeria.