The Lagos State Government has announced a $2 million commitment to the Makoko Water Cities Project, describing it as a long-term and environmentally sustainable blueprint for regenerating the Makoko waterfront settlement.
The disclosure was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Babatunde Olajide, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The announcement comes amid public debate over recent demolitions in parts of Makoko and other waterfront communities, which the state government said are part of a broader urban renewal programme driven by safety, environmental concerns, and sustainable development goals.
Explaining the government’s approach, Olajide said Makoko remains a sensitive and globally recognised community, comprising both land-based and waterfront settlements. He noted that its international profile informed the state’s decision to adopt a more environmentally responsible regeneration model.
According to him, the state abandoned earlier plans for shoreline extension in Makoko after expert assessments showed that the option posed environmental risks.
On the Water Cities Project, Olajide said the government had committed $2 million to the initiative, describing it as the most environmentally friendly and sustainable option for the area’s redevelopment.
He explained that the project aligns with global best practices for waterfront regeneration and is being pursued in consultation with the Makoko community to ensure inclusiveness and long-term viability.
Olajide also addressed concerns over demolitions carried out in areas beneath high-tension power lines, insisting that such actions were strictly based on safety considerations and aimed at preventing loss of lives rather than punishing residents.
Beyond Makoko, the Lagos State Government highlighted several urban renewal and regeneration projects implemented across the state since 2019 as part of a consistent policy framework.
Olajide cited the relocation of Okobaba sawmill operators to Timberville as a major success story, noting that about 300 housing units were provided free of charge alongside industrial equipment worth billions of naira. He said the relocation ended frequent fire outbreaks and transformed the area into a safer and more organised industrial hub, which now hosts the permanent NYSC orientation camp.
In the area of market redevelopment, he disclosed that 21 markets across the state are currently undergoing regeneration, including Pelewura, Jankara, and Bombata markets. At Alaba-Arago, thousands of modern stalls are being constructed for original occupants, with allocation processes designed to ensure fairness and transparency.
The government has also committed approximately N1 billion to housing regeneration in Adeniji-Adele and continues to pay rent for displaced residents. In Dosunmu, Olajide said more than N1 billion was paid as compensation while the government partnered with property owners to redevelop the area.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups have raised concerns over the social impact of recent demolitions. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) reported that demolitions in Makoko and Oworonshoki displaced over 10,000 residents and affected more than 3,000 dwellings.
CAPPA alleged that while initial demolitions were limited to structures within 50 metres of power lines, the scope was later expanded to 100 metres, disproportionately affecting low-income waterfront residents who depend on fishing and small-scale trade.
Similarly, the Take It Back Movement claimed that compensation paid to verified homeowners ranged between N300,000 and N5 million, with some residents rejecting the amounts as inadequate.
The Lagos State Government first announced plans in September 2025 to remove illegal structures under high-tension power lines in Makoko, citing urgent safety concerns. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also alleged that some local and international NGOs exploited the demolitions to solicit foreign grants and aid.
According to the state, the demolitions were aimed at preventing disasters, improving safety, and protecting lives, with verified homeowners receiving palliatives and relocation stipends.
