The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate halt to the demolition of structures in Makoko and adjoining waterfront communities. The directive was given during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Assembly complex, where representatives of the affected communities were assured of compensation for those whose properties were demolished.
The Assembly’s ad-hoc committee, led by Noheem Adams, has resolved to involve residents in decision-making processes and ensure transparency.
“On behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, and all 40 members of the Assembly, we are directing that all ministries henceforth should stop from today. All demolitions will start until further notice.
We want to see the list of the task force constituted because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So, we want to have the schedule of those taskforce and the criteria for those that we are inviting. To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose property has been demolished.”
Adams read out he then asked the audience present if they are satisfied with the decision to which they thunderously replied “we are satisfied”.
The demolition, which began in December 2025, was defended by the Lagos State Government as a safety measure to prevent disasters linked to unsafe settlements and high-risk infrastructure locations. However, human rights groups, lawyers, and residents condemned the exercise, citing displacement and destruction of livelihoods.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration had set aside $2 million for the redevelopment of Makoko waterfront to meet international standards.
He also promised to compensate those affected by the project saying: “All those who have been affected have to be compensated, and we have the task force. We are in the process of enumeration but the first thing to do is to save the people. It is better to be wary than to be late.”
