Lagos Governor insists demolitions in Makoko target risky shanties near power lines, not whole community, and says safety is priority amid protests.
Lagos, Nigeria — January 24, 2026 — Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has defended the ongoing demolition of structures in Makoko, saying the exercise is limited to unsafe shanties and does not cover the entire community.
He said the action focuses on protecting lives and property by clearing buildings located close to high-tension power lines and critical infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday in response to criticisms that the demolition amounts to indiscriminate destruction of homes in the historic waterfront community.
He said the state government issued evacuation notices more than two years ago to residents living within 150 to 250 metres of high-tension wires. The governor stressed that the operation is meant to follow safety standards and prevent accidents.
He said, “We are not demolishing the whole of Makoko. We are clearing the shanties so they do not get to the Third Mainland Bridge and stay behind the high tension.”
The statement was part of the government’s effort to explain the rationale behind the exercise and reassure residents about its intentions.
Officials from the Lagos State Government have said the demolitions aim to enforce safety regulations and reduce risks posed by unplanned and unsafe structures.
They noted that laws require buildings to be set back from high-tension power lines to protect residents and the general public. Government representatives have rejected claims that the demolitions are targeted at the poor or conducted without notice.
The state also says it has engaged community members over several years and offered alternatives in some cases, though details about resettlement options vary among reports.
Civil society groups, residents and rights advocates have condemned the demolitions as heavy-handed and harmful to vulnerable people. Some groups say the action goes beyond safety concerns and amounts to mass displacement without adequate compensation or resettlement plans.
They argue that the scope of demolitions has exceeded publicised safety limits and left many families homeless.
Critics, including the former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, have described the exercise as a form of class cleansing, calling for immediate suspension of demolitions and for transparent community-led planning for long-term solutions.
Reports from the community indicate that thousands of residents have lost homes and livelihoods as demolitions extend into waterfront areas. Some displaced families are experiencing hunger, lack of shelter and disruption of basic services, including healthcare and schooling, according to human rights groups.
The Lagos State Government says it will continue with the demolition where necessary while defending its policies as aligned with safety obligations. Critics and civil society organisations are calling for dialogue, transparent planning and meaningful resettlement strategies for displaced residents.
