LAGOS ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDS RELOCATION OF MAKOKO DEMOLITION VICTIMS TO EPE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has recommended that residents affected by the demolition of waterfront communities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro be relocated 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 issued by the Assembly’s Public Affairs Directorate.
The resolution was prompted by a petition addressed to the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, titled “Urgent Appeal Regarding Ongoing Mass Forced Eviction and Illegal Demolition Threatening Tens of Thousands in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro Communities.”
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 meetings with petitioners and conducting an oversight visit with relevant government officials, agencies and representatives of the affected communities.
The committee noted that the demolition exercise carried out by the state government displaced many residents, including the elderly, women and children, while several homes and properties were destroyed.
Lawmakers also observed that the affected waterfront communities rely largely on fishing as their main source of livelihood and have historically lived on the water because of the nature of their occupation.
According to the committee, living conditions in Makoko and surrounding areas deteriorated significantly after the demolition, resulting in environmental and health concerns as well as increased safety risks.
Based on its findings, the Assembly recommended that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, direct the Special Adviser on E-GIS to review and vet the enumeration report submitted by the Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon communities.
The lawmakers further proposed that the remaining residents be relocated to a proposed low-cost housing estate in Agbowa, where they could continue their fishing activities.
Confirming the development, the Special Adviser on Research, Media and Documentation to the Speaker, Adeshina Oyetayo, said the statement from the Public Affairs Directorate reflected the official position of the Assembly.
The recommendation comes amid controversy surrounding the demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State Government in late December 2025 and early January 2026, which targeted what authorities described as “illicit structures” in the Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro waterfront communities near the Third Mainland Bridge.
The operation displaced thousands of residents in the historic lagoon settlements, many of whom depend on fishing for their livelihood.
The demolitions also triggered protests from community members and civil society groups, who criticised the exercise as heavy-handed and called for clear plans for resettlement and compensation for affected residents.
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