Displacement on the Nigerian Lagoon: The Human Cost of Makoko’s Demolition
LAGOS — The skyline of Africa’s largest megacity is a study in contrasts, but nowhere is the tension between modern ambition and humanitarian reality more acute than in Makoko. As the Lagos State Government intensifies its January 2026 demolition exercise, the narrative has shifted from a simple urban renewal project to a complex debate over public safety, ecological preservation, and the fundamental right to shelter.
The operation, which has cleared a 100-meter corridor along the lagoon, targets structures built beneath high-tension power lines and those encroaching further into the water. While the roar of machinery has left thousands displaced, the state maintains the move is a necessary intervention to prevent a larger catastrophe.
Health and Safety: A Ticking Time Bomb
The government’s push for demolition is rooted in severe health and safety risks that extend far beyond the stilts of Makoko to the general populace of Lagos.
- Infrastructure Hazards: The proximity of wooden dwellings to high-tension lines creates an immediate risk of mass casualty through electrical fires or structural collapse, particularly during the unpredictable storm seasons of the Gulf of Guinea.
- Ecological and Public Health: Known as “Black Venice,” the lagoon’s water has become ecologically uninhabitable. With no formal sewerage, waste flows directly into the lagoon, creating a breeding ground for waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. As a coastal hub, the contamination of these waters poses a systemic health threat to the wider Lagos ecosystem.
- Emergency Access: The informal, dense nature of the “floating” housing makes it nearly impossible for emergency services—fire or medical—to navigate the narrow waterways, leaving residents uniquely vulnerable during crises.
The Resettlement Effort: Progress and Gaps
Acknowledging the severity of these risks, the Lagos State Government has highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize the area. This includes the construction of designated “proper homes” intended to replace the dilapidated stilt huts.
State officials emphasize that current clearances are a “regrettable necessity” to stabilize the power grid and clear the coastal area for sustainable development. However, the transition from the lagoon to land remains fraught with difficulty. While some residents have seen the benefits of newly built schools and limited infrastructure, the scale of the resettlement has yet to match the speed of the demolitions.
A Call for Compassionate Governance
As the state pursues its vision of a “Greater Lagos,” there is an urgent need to temper justice with mercy. While the illegality of the structures and the environmental hazards are factual realities, the human beings within them represent the city’s vulnerable core.
| Essential Pillars of Orderly Resettlement | Implementation Goal |
| Comprehensive Compensation | Providing fair financial aid to families losing their primary livelihoods. |
| Phased Relocation | Ensuring new housing is ready before current dwellings are leveled. |
| Livelihood Protection | Creating transit zones that allow fishermen continued access to the lagoon. |
| Inclusive Dialogue | Engaging community leaders to avoid the “shock” of unannounced demolitions. |
The Path Forward
The Lagos State Government is at a crossroads. To ensure the safety of the general populace without sacrificing its humanitarian soul, the administration must prioritize a transparent and orderly resettlement plan. By offering adequate compensation and dignifying those affected with proper alternative housing, the state can transform a site of ecological disaster into a model for compassionate urban renewal.
The situation in Makoko has reached a tipping point. As the rainy season approaches, the vulnerability of those living in canoes will only increase. Policy experts suggest that rather than forced evictions, the government should adopt “in-situ upgrading”—a method that improves living conditions and infrastructure without destroying existing communities.
Unless a formal resettlement plan is established, Makoko risks becoming a permanent symbol of the “disparity of development” in Africa’s largest megacity.
The government and those directly in key position that pertain to this issue should remember that those affected are humans and whatever decisions or policies enacted with regards to this issue will forever be on record.
Makoko Lagoon Floating Community Picture from New Africa Facebook Page
Makoko Lagoon Picture by H.-W. Schlieper on weekend.rambler.ru
