“The historic waterfront of Makoko, often called the ‘Venice of Africa,’ is currently a scene of heartbreak and chaos. Since late December 2025, amphibious excavators and armed security have been tearing through the iconic floating community, leaving an estimated 30,000 people displaced and many more in a state of terror.
The Government’s Stand: Safety First? Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stood firm on the decision, describing the demolition as a ‘preventive’ measure for public safety. Officials claim the exercise targets shanties built dangerously close to high-tension power lines and those encroaching on the Third Mainland Bridge.
“No responsible government can allow people to live directly under high-tension cables. This is to protect lives and avert disaster,” stated Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso.
The Legal Firestorm: Falana Hits Back However, the legal community is up in arms. Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has officially labeled the demolitions as ‘illegal, unconstitutional, and contemptuous.’ Falana points to a June 2017 High Court ruling and a more recent 2024 Supreme Court judgment that allegedly strips the State of power over these federal waterways.
Falana has accused the government of ‘executive impunity,’ highlighting that schools, clinics, and homes are being leveled without any viable resettlement plan for the displaced.
A Human Tragedy The human cost is staggering. Reports have emerged of families living on canoes in the lagoon, while NGOs allege that the use of tear gas during the operations has led to at least three deaths, including two infants. While the government promises ‘palliatives’ and grants, residents say they were given little to no warning before their world was reduced to floating debris.
As the rainy season approaches, the question remains: Is this a necessary step toward a ‘Mega City,’ or a case of land-grabbing that ignores the city’s most vulnerable?”
