The has proposed the relocation of residents of Makoko and two other waterfront communities to a new settlement in following a demolition exercise that displaced several families.

The recommendation followed the adoption of a report by the assembly’s standing committee on rules and business regarding the demolition of structures in the Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Sogunro waterfront communities.

Demolition displaced several residents

In December 2025, the began demolishing what it described as “illicit structures” in communities located around the .

The exercise led to the destruction of homes and properties, forcing many residents to leave their long-standing waterfront settlements.

Following the demolition, affected residents protested and submitted a petition to the Speaker of the Assembly, , demanding government intervention.

The state legislature subsequently called for a temporary suspension of the demolition while it investigated the matter.

Assembly committee findings

Presenting the report during plenary, the chairman of the committee, , said the panel held five separate meetings with the petitioners and conducted on-site inspections alongside government officials.

According to the committee, the demolition exercise resulted in the destruction of homes and property, worsening the living conditions of residents who have depended on fishing for their livelihoods for decades.

Proposed relocation and housing plan

The committee recommended that the Governor of Lagos State, , direct the state’s special adviser on the electronic geographic information system (E-GIS) to review the enumeration report submitted by the affected communities.

It also suggested that displaced residents be relocated to a proposed low-cost housing estate to be constructed in the Agbowa area of Epe, where they could continue fishing activities.

Water city project initiative

The committee further urged the Lagos government to engage the Oloto of the Otto family, recognised as the traditional landowners of the area, in the development of a planned water city project.

Earlier in February 2026, the state government announced plans to invest $10 million in the water city initiative aimed at modernising the Makoko fishing community and improving living conditions.

Future of waterfront communities

Lawmakers said the relocation plan, if implemented, could provide displaced residents with improved housing while preserving their traditional fishing livelihood.

However, stakeholders say sustained engagement with affected communities will be necessary to ensure a smooth transition and avoid further displacement challenges.

The post Lagos Assembly Proposes Relocation of Makoko Residents to Epe After Waterfront Demolition appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has officially halted demolitions in Makoko and Shogunle, directing a structured two-week reconciliation process to address issues arising from previous clearance operations. The move is aimed at fostering dialogue with affected residents and ensuring sustainable urban development along the Third Mainland Bridge corridor.

During a committee meeting with local leaders, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Majority Leader Noheem Adams, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to reconciliation, emphasizing the inclusion of women, youths, students, and traditional leaders in community committees. These committees are tasked with facilitating effective communication, resolving disputes, and ensuring residents comply with the new regulations.

The Assembly adopted recommendations from the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on E-GIS, Dr Olajide Babatunde, which include the establishment of a 250-metre setback from the Third Mainland Bridge and an additional 250-metre buffer beyond the power line corridor. All forms of development are now prohibited within these designated zones to safeguard public safety and environmental standards.

Lagos community leaders and residents have welcomed the directive, with the Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area, Bayo Adefuye, acknowledging the efforts of both the state and local governments. Relief materials and palliatives have already been distributed to residents affected by earlier demolitions, providing immediate support while the reconciliation process proceeds.

The Assembly emphasized that the two-week timeline is critical for ensuring a lasting resolution. Committees are expected to submit progress reports regularly, while the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the E-GIS Office will continue monitoring compliance with the buffer zones.

Lagos Assembly’s halt on demolitions in Makoko and Shogunle marks a shift towards community-inclusive urban planning. The state government has reiterated that any attempts to bypass the buffer zones or engage in unauthorized construction will result in legal actions.

The decision highlights Lagos State’s commitment to environmental safety, sustainable urban development, and social cohesion, balancing infrastructure growth with community needs. Residents are urged to cooperate fully with the committees and respect regulations to ensure a smooth reconciliation process.

The post Makoko, Shogunle Demolition Halted: Lagos Assembly Sets Two-Week Reconciliation Timeline appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate suspension of the ongoing demolition exercise in Makoko and adjoining waterfront communities, while pledging compensation for residents whose properties have already been affected.

The directive was issued on Tuesday after a stakeholders’ meeting between lawmakers and representatives of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee set up by the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, Hon. Noheem Adams, announced the decision while presenting the resolutions reached at the meeting.

Adams said the Assembly resolved that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in the demolition exercise must suspend activities in the affected communities with immediate effect and until further notice.

According to him, the House also agreed that residents whose homes and properties had already been demolished would be duly compensated by the state government.

“All demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities should stop immediately. Any task force to be constituted must involve community representatives and engage them adequately,” Adams said.

He assured residents that the Assembly would ensure full compliance with the directive and monitor the process to guarantee fairness and transparency.

The Assembly’s intervention followed protests by displaced residents, as well as petitions submitted to lawmakers over the demolition exercise, which reportedly began in December 2025 and displaced several families.

Responding on behalf of the affected communities, the Baale of one of the communities, Isaac Gunmayon, thanked the Assembly for its swift intervention, describing the resolution as a source of relief and hope for residents.

He said the communities were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and appreciated the lawmakers for listening to their grievances.

The demolition exercise has drawn criticism from human rights groups, lawyers and civil society organisations, who condemned the displacement of residents and called for a more humane approach to urban renewal.

Despite the backlash, the Lagos State Government has defended the demolition, insisting it was carried out in the interest of the waterfront communities as part of a broader regeneration plan.

The state government has also disclosed plans to spend about $10 million on the redevelopment and regeneration of the Makoko waterfront to improve living conditions and infrastructure.

The post Makoko Demolition: Lagos Assembly Orders Halt, Pledges Compensation for Victims appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has invited community leaders from Makoko and neighboring waterfront settlements for a meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to address petitions concerning recent demolitions and forced evictions.

The invitation, issued via a letter dated January 26 and signed by the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, requests leaders to present relevant documents to facilitate discussions.

The move follows widespread unrest in the waterfront communities after demolition exercises destroyed homes, schools, and small clinics. Residents and human rights groups allege the operations were conducted without adequate notice, compensation, or resettlement, leaving many families homeless and living in precarious conditions. Some displaced persons have reportedly taken shelter on boats or with neighbors, while others relocated to other areas of Lagos State.

Community leaders claim the demolition extended far beyond the agreed 30-metre setback from high-tension power lines, reportedly reaching up to 520 metres, destroying properties and displacing residents. Francis Samson, a community chief, said, “Before the demolition, the government indicated only structures within 30 metres of power lines would be removed. However, they extended this to 100 metres and eventually demolished homes up to 520 metres.”

The destruction has severely impacted livelihoods, particularly for fishermen, while reports indicate deaths occurred during the operation, including a child from tear gas exposure and an adult from health complications following the demolition. Residents continue to plead with the government for clearly defined boundaries and sustainable resettlement solutions.

Oluwo Felix Fasinu, another community leader, emphasized the need for proper demarcation, stating, “Repeated appeals to the government to define our boundaries have yielded no results. People cannot be fully displaced after spending their entire lives here.”

The Assembly’s Committee on Rules and Business, led by Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, is yet to respond to follow-up enquiries. The meeting scheduled at the Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, aims to address grievances, explore solutions, and ensure compliance with lawful procedures in the waterfront communities.

This engagement underscores Lagos State’s recognition of ongoing tensions in Makoko and the need for dialogue between authorities and affected communities to mitigate social, economic, and humanitarian impacts.

The post Lagos Assembly to Meet Makoko Community Leaders Amid Demolition Crisis appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The resolutions came during Tuesday’s plenary session, following a motion raised by Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, who decried the unchecked rent hikes plaguing residents across the state. He highlighted Section 37 of the Tenancy Law, which prohibits arbitrary rent increases and outlines legal protection for tenants facing unfair treatment.

“The continuous rise in rent is contributing to the surge in homelessness across Lagos,” Olumoh warned. “We must put a stop to this before it becomes a full-blown crisis.”

Supporting the motion, Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere 1) revealed that rent prices in his constituency have soared by 100 to 200 percent, largely due to ongoing infrastructural upgrades. However, he argued that such improvements should not be a license for landlords to exploit tenants. Elliot also called for a review of the law’s two-year rent advance policy, which often includes steep legal and agency fees, making it even harder for average Lagosians to secure housing.

“We cannot ignore the financial pressure this places on our people. It’s unsustainable,” he said.

Other lawmakers echoed similar concerns. Hon. Aro Moshood criticized landlords who hike rents without notice or regard for tenants’ earnings, in violation of the law. He also condemned the rising cases of illegal evictions, calling for tougher enforcement.

“Many minimum wage earners can’t even afford a single room in this city anymore,” Moshood lamented.

Hon. Shabi Adebola added that the state government must play its part by investing more in affordable housing projects, especially for low-income residents.

In his closing remarks, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that the rent crisis is intertwined with the rising costs of building materials. He recommended a multi-stakeholder approach involving real estate developers, landlords, and government agencies to find lasting solutions.

“This is beyond just landlords and tenants—it’s about the entire housing value chain,” Obasa said.

The Speaker ordered the Acting Clerk, Abubakar Ottun, to forward the House’s resolution to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for swift implementation. As housing pressures continue to mount in Africa’s most populous city, all eyes are now on the state government to see whether it will act decisively to shield vulnerable residents from further displacement.

The post Lagos Assembly Moves to Tackle Arbitrary Rent Hikes, Pushes for Full Enforcement of Tenancy Law appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

They demanded an immediate halt to the ongoing demolition of their market and intervention by state lawmakers.

The protesters carried placards, condemning the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for alleged unjust actions.

Market leaders said the demolition occurred on March 6, 2025, without prior notice, causing losses worth billions of naira.

Market President Abiodun Ahmed claimed over 500 shops were demolished, leaving traders devastated and some hospitalized.

“At least three traders have died, and many are hospitalized due to the demolition’s impact,” Ahmed stated.

Another market executive, Samuel Oluwole Gaba, noted that 41,000 traders now face uncertainty about their livelihoods.

Protesters said their businesses attracted international buyers, questioning the government’s lack of notice before the action.

Some traders accused looters of taking advantage of the demolition to steal valuable machines and goods from their shops.

Lawmaker Adebola Shabi assured the protesters that the Assembly would investigate and provide a swift resolution.

The post Traders Storm Lagos Assembly to Protest Spare Parts Market Demolition appeared first on Housing TV Africa.