Residents of the Makoko waterfront in Lagos have rejected plans to relocate them from their ancestral homes, nearly three months after a mass demolition displaced thousands, insisting instead on being included in a United Nations-backed urban development project.
This is according to a press statement signed by community leaders and representatives and sent to Pinnacle Daily on Wednesday by the Justice & Empowerment Initiatives – Nigeria community legal support initiative.
The residents stated that they remain “firmly united to reject any forced relocation” and are demanding full inclusion as primary beneficiaries of the Water Cities project.
The statement comes after the demolition of homes and businesses between December 2025 and January 2026, which the community said affected an estimated 30,000 people before it was halted following protests and a petition to the Lagos State Government and the State House of Assembly.
“Today, nearly three months since the mass forced eviction of an estimated 30,000 from the Makoko waterfront, the Makoko community stands firmly united to reject any forced relocation away from our ancestral home,” the residents stated.
READ ALSO:
- Coalition Demands Solidarity for Makoko Residents, Justice for Victims of Forced Evictions Across Lagos
- Nigeria’s Debt Jumps to ₦159.28trn Despite Stronger Naira — NBS
- NLC Rejects GenCos’ ₦6trn Debt Claim, Alleges Moves to ‘Loot Public Treasury’
- Cross River Residents Spend More on Petrol in January – Report
The community said that despite engagements with the Lagos State House of Assembly after the demolitions were stopped, none of their key demands have been met.
“Despite our demands being clearly set out – a stop to the demolition, immediate humanitarian assistance and emergency shelter for the displaced, and the rebuilding of illegally demolished homes – none of these things have transpired,” the residents said. “Not even the most modest form of palliatives.”
They expressed surprise at a recommendation by the Lagos Assembly suggesting that the community be relocated to Agbowa, describing the proposal as unacceptable.
“We firmly reject this recommendation and insist that we should remain in our ancestral home where we have lived for well over one hundred years,” they said.
The residents argued that the relocation plan contradicts the purpose of the Water Cities project, which they said was initiated by the community itself as an alternative to demolition and later gained support from the United Nations.
“The idea that we, the residents and intended beneficiaries, should now be forcibly evicted and relocated so that another group of people can come to enjoy this project is completely unacceptable,” they maintained.
The community also dismissed claims by some individuals said to support the relocation, stating that such persons do not represent the collective position of Makoko residents.
“We state firmly and clearly today that those purported leaders may be representatives of the Oloto Royal Family, but they do not represent the Makoko community,” they added.
Appealing to government authorities and international stakeholders, the residents called for urgent intervention to address their situation and meet their demands.
“We appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of Lagos State, all our elected leaders, and the United Nations to heed our call and ensure a just outcome,” they said.
They urged authorities to provide relief and emergency shelter within Makoko, rebuild destroyed homes, businesses and schools, and implement the Water Cities project in a way that supports the existing community.
The statement was jointly signed by designated members of the Makoko community, including traditional leaders, youth representatives, and religious figures.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
