An Inhumane Demolition of Makoko and Displacement of a Vulnerable Community
The Help Initiative for Social Justice and Humanitarian Development has condemned, in the strongest terms, the ongoing forced eviction and demolition of homes in the Makoko waterfront community of Lagos State, Nigeria. Beginning in the early hours of January 5, 2026, the Lagos State Government, utilizing security personnel and bulldozers, launched a demolition and eviction exercise in Makoko that destroyed houses, displaced families, and caused profound suffering for vulnerable residents, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Structures were reportedly set ablaze, boats seized, and tear gas deployed against residents, many of whom were away at markets or fishing when the operation commenced without adequate notice or preparation. Families have been forced to seek precarious shelter on canoes and in open water following the demolition of stilt houses that served as both homes and places of livelihood.
Makoko is a historic waterfront settlement whose residents predominantly depend on fishing and informal trading for their livelihoods. The sudden demolition has stripped thousands of people of their shelter, income, and security, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and threatening a looming humanitarian crisis.
Speaking on this unfortunate development in Lagos on Monday, January 12, Lead campaigner at Help Initiative, Aderonke Ige said, “We note with deep concern that previous assurances reportedly made by government officials stated that only structures within a 30-metre setback from high-tension power lines would be removed; assurances that were apparently not honoured, as demolition extended deep into residential areas”. Addressing communities of activists on the unfortunate and inhumane act of the State, the lawyer and Social Justice Activist emphasized that forced evictions without adequate notice, meaningful consultation, compensation, and resettlement contravene Nigeria’s obligations under domestic law and international human rights standards, including the right to adequate housing, livelihood, dignity, and protection from arbitrary displacement.
Democracy campaigner and Human rights activist, Olubunmi Eyelade, also stated that the action of the government towards the Makoko community is a sad one, “especially as one who works with communities and understands the complexity of life in those harsh conditions”.
While sending strong warnings to the government against the danger of creating an oppressive state where citizens are criminalized for being poor by the same system that keeps them poor, the organization reiterated that this is yet another demonstration of an elitist system where urbanization takes priority over human lives, livelihood, and the dignity of people.
The Help Initiative extended a list of demands to the government of Lagos State as an immediate corrective action, including:
- Immediate Halt to Evictions: The Lagos State Government must immediately cease all ongoing demolition operations and forced evictions in Makoko, including any actions beyond lawful and transparent procedures.
- Protection and Relief for Affected Residents: Affected families should be provided with emergency shelter, food assistance, medical care, safe potable water, and psychosocial support.
- Meaningful Consultation: The Government must engage in inclusive and transparent dialogue with Makoko community leaders, civil society organisations, and human rights defenders to develop people-centred alternatives.
- Restorative Justice and Accountability: Authorities must provide appropriate compensation and restitution for losses incurred and ensure that future urban planning respects the rights and dignity of Makoko residents rather than dispossessing them without redress.
- Respect for Legal Safeguards: The Government must abide by existing court orders and legal protections that prohibit unlawful demolitions and evictions, and uphold the rule of law in all future urban development initiatives.
The group reiterated its solidarity with the residents of Makoko, reaffirming the Civil Society’s collective commitment to social justice, human dignity, and equitable development, insisting that forced evictions are not urban progress but a failure of governance and a violation of human rights.