Sanwo-Olu signs N4.4 trillion Lagos 2026 budget, defends Makoko demolition

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has defended the ongoing demolition of structures in the Makoko waterfront community, citing the urgent need to protect lives and property. Speaking after signing the 2026 budget, the governor explained that the exercise targets illegal shanties built under high-tension power lines and near the Third Mainland Bridge. He compared the risks in the area to a fuel tanker spill, insisting the government is acting to prevent a major calamity rather than punish residents.

“The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded,” the governor said. He clarified that the clearance is specifically focused on high-risk areas and preventing encroachment on critical infrastructure. Sanwo-Olu also dismissed criticisms from certain non-governmental organizations, suggesting their opposition might be fueled by a desire for international grants rather than the actual welfare of the displaced community members.  

To address the hardship caused by the removals, the governor promised palliative measures, including relocation options and financial grants. “I’ve instructed both the local government and relevant ministries to provide additional support, palliatives, and grants for some of these people to show compassion,” he stated. Despite these promises, the situation on the ground remains tense as thousands find themselves without shelter or basic amenities.  

Civil society groups and residents recently staged a massive protest at the state capital, alleging that the demolitions far exceeded the initially agreed-upon safety setbacks. Protesters claimed that security forces used tear gas during forced evictions that began in early January. Activists from CAPPA reported that the destruction has moved beyond power-line corridors, deep into ancestral residential areas, leaving families completely stranded.  

“The Lagos State Government has entered the Makoko community and forcibly displaced people from their ancestral homes,” remarked CAPPA’s Zikora Ibeh. Organizers of the protest further alleged that the use of tear gas by security operatives resulted in the deaths of two infants and an elderly woman. They are now demanding an immediate halt to the exercise, a full investigation into the use of force, and compensation for those affected.  

The scale of the displacement is significant, with reports suggesting over 3,000 homes have been leveled, affecting more than 10,000 people. Essential community structures, including schools, clinics, and churches, were reportedly among the buildings destroyed. Educational activities have been severely disrupted, with school attendance plummeting as many children are now forced to live on boats with their families.  

Women in the community are facing particularly dire conditions, lacking any privacy for hygiene or sleeping while living under debris. While the government maintains that the project began as a 30-metre safety corridor, residents argue the clearance has now extended past 100 metres without proper documentation. The standoff continues as the state balances urban safety requirements against the immediate humanitarian needs of the Makoko people