The Lagos State House of Assembly has recommended the relocation of residents affected by the demolition of waterfront communities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro to the Agbowa area of Epe in Lagos State.
The recommendation followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Rules and Business during plenary on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the Assembly’s Public Affairs Directorate, the decision came after lawmakers considered a petition addressed to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, titled “Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.”
Committee Engagement and Oversight Visit
Presenting the report during plenary at the Committee of the Whole, the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, Noheem Adams, said the committee reached its conclusions after holding five separate meetings with the petitioners.
He added that the committee also carried out an oversight visit involving relevant government officials, agencies and representatives of the affected communities.
The statement noted that the demolition carried out by the state government displaced many residents, including elderly persons, women and children, while homes and other properties were destroyed.
According to the committee, residents of the affected waterfront communities rely mainly on fishing for their livelihood and have historically lived on the water because of the nature of their occupation.
Lawmakers also observed that living conditions in Makoko and neighbouring communities worsened significantly after the demolition exercise, raising environmental and health concerns as well as safety risks.
Assembly Proposes Low-cost Housing in Agbowa
Based on its findings, the Assembly recommended that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, direct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to verify the enumeration report submitted by the Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon communities.
“The committee further recommended that the government relocate the remaining residents of Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon to a proposed low-cost housing estate to be constructed in the Agbowa area of the state, where they can continue their fishing activities,” the statement added.
The Special Adviser on Research, Media and Documentation to the Speaker, Adeshina Oyetayo, confirmed the development on Wednesday.
“What you got from the Public Affairs Directorate is the position of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Oyetayo said.
Demolition Sparked Protests
The Assembly’s recommendation comes after a controversial demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State Government between late December 2025 and early January 2026.
The operation targeted what authorities described as “illicit structures” in the Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro waterfront communities near the Third Mainland Bridge.
The demolition displaced thousands of residents in the lagoon settlements, many of whom depend on fishing for their livelihood.
The development triggered protests by community members and civil society groups, who criticised the demolition as heavy-handed and demanded clear plans for resettlement and compensation.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
