Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Lagos State Government to prioritise the development of the Makoko waterfront for the benefit of residents rather than pursuing demolition exercises.

Call for inclusive development

Falana stressed that instead of displacing residents, the government should adopt a people-centered development approach that integrates the existing community into urban planning.

According to him, Makoko, widely regarded as one of Lagos’ most unique waterfront settlements, holds economic and cultural value that should be preserved and improved.

He argued that transforming the area into a properly planned waterfront community would create jobs, boost tourism, and improve living conditions for thousands of residents.

Concerns over demolitions

The senior advocate criticised ongoing demolition activities in waterfront communities, noting that such actions often leave residents homeless without adequate resettlement plans.

Makoko, a densely populated coastal settlement, has long faced repeated demolition threats, with authorities citing environmental and safety concerns. 

Falana maintained that forced evictions without alternative housing violate fundamental human rights and worsen poverty among vulnerable populations.

He urged the government to comply with legal frameworks and court rulings that protect citizens from unlawful displacement.

Economic potential of Makoko

Highlighting the economic opportunities within the community, Falana said Makoko’s strategic location along the Lagos lagoon makes it ideal for sustainable waterfront development.

He noted that with proper infrastructure, the area could support fishing, tourism, and small-scale enterprises, contributing significantly to Lagos’ economy.

Rather than viewing the settlement as an “eyesore,” he advised authorities to harness its potential through structured urban renewal initiatives.

Need for dialogue and policy reform

Falana called for meaningful engagement between the government and residents, insisting that development policies must be inclusive and transparent.

He emphasised the importance of dialogue, proper planning, and investment in basic amenities such as housing, sanitation, and education.

The legal expert concluded that developing Makoko in a sustainable manner would align with global urban development standards while protecting the rights and livelihoods of its inhabitants.

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As Lagos State intensifies clearance and demolition exercises in informal settlements, experiences from other African countries are offering important lessons on how governments can balance urban development with human rights and housing security.

Across the continent, forced evictions have remained one of the most controversial tools of urban renewal. From waterfront settlements in Lagos to forest communities in Kenya, governments are grappling with the challenge of upgrading cities without worsening poverty or displacing vulnerable populations.

Findings show that countries such as Kenya, Morocco, and Uganda have adopted different approaches to eviction, compensation, and resettlement—some more structured than others—providing policy options Lagos can study as it pursues urban regeneration.

Forced Evictions and International Standards

Amnesty International defines forced eviction as the removal of people from their homes or land against their will, without adequate legal protection, consultation, or compensation. Under international human rights law, evictions should be a last resort and must follow strict safeguards.

These include meaningful engagement with affected communities, sufficient notice, provision of alternative housing, and compensation for losses. Authorities are also required to ensure that no eviction renders residents homeless or exposes them to further rights violations.

Lagos Demolitions and Public Debate

In Lagos, thousands of residents in communities such as Makoko, Oworonshoki, Ilaje-Otumara, Owode Onirin, and Baba Ijora have been displaced under urban renewal and safety enforcement programmes.

The Lagos State Government has defended the demolitions, citing safety risks associated with illegal structures, especially those built under high-tension power lines and near critical infrastructure.

Speaking previously, the Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, said the Makoko demolitions were part of a statewide safety strategy to prevent disasters such as fires and infrastructure failure. He noted that the state had committed about $2 million since 2021 to redevelop the Makoko waterfront, with expectations of additional support from international partners.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also maintained that evacuation notices were issued more than two years before the demolitions, stressing that the exercise targeted safety corridors and not the entire Makoko community.

Despite these assurances, civil society groups argue that demolitions often occur without comprehensive resettlement plans, leaving displaced residents exposed to homelessness and economic hardship.

Kenya: Environmental Protection Versus Indigenous Rights

Kenya’s eviction of residents from the Embobut Forest highlights the tension between environmental protection and indigenous land rights. Beginning around 2013, thousands of residents, including members of the Sengwer community, were evicted to protect forest ecosystems and water catchment areas.

Although the government offered compensation of about 400,000 Kenyan shillings per household, many residents rejected the payments, insisting that ancestral land could not be replaced with money. Legal disputes followed, with courts issuing injunctions against evictions pending land rights resolutions.

The case has become a reference point in African policy debates, underscoring the importance of legal clarity, early consultation, and culturally sensitive resettlement frameworks.

Morocco: Structured Resettlement as Policy

Morocco’s “Cities Without Slums” programme presents a contrasting model. Under the initiative, eviction is closely tied to resettlement and compensation plans.

Affected households are often offered subsidised housing plots costing about 20,000 Moroccan dirhams or relocated to newly built apartment units. In some cases, government subsidies significantly reduce housing costs, while temporary support payments help families secure accommodation during transitions.

Urban analysts say Morocco’s structured compensation and relocation system has reduced resistance to redevelopment projects and limited humanitarian fallout.

Uganda: Court-Driven Compensation Frameworks

Uganda offers another approach shaped by judicial intervention. In recent years, courts have ordered compensation for victims of forced evictions, prompting the creation of a Land Compensation Fund.

While implementation remains uneven, legal enforcement has pushed the government towards a more formalised compensation process, especially in large redevelopment projects such as the Nakawa-Naguru estate.

Lessons for Lagos and Other African Cities

Urban experts say Lagos can draw three key lessons from these models: early community consultation, legally backed compensation frameworks, and clear resettlement plans before demolition begins.

Analysts argue that property ownership or secure housing is closely tied to economic stability. Without alternatives, forced evictions risk deepening urban poverty and pushing displaced residents into more hazardous settlements.

As African cities continue to expand rapidly, the debate over evictions is likely to intensify. Whether urban renewal is seen as inclusive development or displacement-driven growth will depend largely on how governments manage the social consequences of clearing informal settlements while modernising cities.

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Widespread anger has trailed a new round of Lagos demolitions after the state government pulled down more buildings across Oworonshoki, Lekki, and parts of Lagos Island.

Residents, civil society groups, and industry experts say the action punishes ordinary citizens while overlooking failures in government supervision.

Fresh wave of demolitions sparks outrage

The latest demolitions began around November 24, 2025, in the Coker axis of Oworonshoki. The same day, several structures on Lagos Island were also demolished. In Lekki, at the Ikota River Right of Way, 17 buildings were pulled down earlier in October for alleged encroachment.

For many residents, the pattern shows that regulatory agencies did not monitor construction early enough to prevent these losses.

Experts blame poor oversight and weak enforcement

Concerns intensified after the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) issued a communiqué at a building sector conference in Abuja. The agency warned that poor compliance and weak supervision across construction sites continue to endanger lives.

Construction expert Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke said sustainable building practices require strict adherence to codes and guidelines. According to him, ignoring these rules has contributed to collapses, deaths, and massive financial losses.

Humanitarian concerns rise as families lose homes

The human cost of the demolition exercise has been devastating.
Gospel artist Testimony Jaga, speaking after a demolition along AIT Road and the Powerline axis, said many families now sleep outside with no shelter or food.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had claimed the structures encroached on high-tension powerline corridors.

Several residents shared their painful stories:

• Mrs. Adebimpe Oduro, a widow, lost her only means of livelihood.
• Mrs. Shola Ikotun and Mrs. Bisoye Lawal said their shops were vital to supporting their families.
• 64-year-old Mrs. Olabisi Osho fainted during the demolition of her home and suffered a head injury.
• 66-year-old Aina Adejare said she now sleeps on bare ground after losing her marital home of over 30 years.

Residents accuse the government of neglecting their welfare while properties cleared for public infrastructure are allegedly being converted into private developments.

Allegations of land repurposing spark further anger

Testimony Jaga alleged that areas initially designated for a BRT depot and a Mechanic Village are now being redeveloped into malls and private shops. He described the situation as “a humanitarian crisis,” insisting that the government must provide compensation, especially for widows and elderly residents.

Call for more humane urban planning

Urban analysts warn that Lagos cannot enforce planning regulations without addressing the needs of vulnerable residents. They argue that demolition should be a last resort, and only after proper notice, monitoring, and relocation plans.

Residents say they are not opposed to urban development but want transparency, accountability, and humane implementation.

The post Lagos Residents Cry Out as Fresh Demolitions Hit Oworonshoki, Lekki appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has petitioned the UN, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ECOWAS Court over the demolition of Igbo-owned shops and properties in Lagos.

ASITU President, Chief Emeka Diwe, described the action as “economic cleansing,” saying Nigeria is “dying from ethnic discrimination and selective justice.” He said the group turned to international bodies after local authorities ignored their complaints.

Diwe dismissed Lagos State’s claim that the buildings were on waterways, insisting they were legally acquired and approved. He warned the demolitions undermine investor confidence and violate citizens’ rights.

ASITU urged victims to remain peaceful and encouraged Igbo investors to reinvest in the South-East under the “Aku Ruo Ulo” (Let wealth return home) philosophy, stressing that their call is for justice, not secession.

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Property owners across Nigeria are crying out over widespread building demolitions that have left many homeless and businesses crippled.

In Imo State, engineer Bernard Nzerem is still reeling from the July demolition of his N2.2 billion property in Naze despite presenting a Certificate of Occupancy and Power of Attorney. “This was not just a building. It was my entire life’s sweat,” he lamented.

Similar demolitions have rocked Lagos, where bulldozers recently moved into Oworonshoki at night, leaving residents stranded. “The demolition came to us as a surprise,” said Balogun Jamiu, head of the local community association. Displaced resident Afeez Ayeni accused the state government of betrayal, noting that rents have since doubled.

In Kano, over 40 houses were demolished in Rimin Zakara village, leaving several casualties. In Port Harcourt, staff of the Bayelsa Liaison Office still recall their ordeal after their buildings were pulled down in a dispute between state governments.

Experts say poor planning and selective enforcement are worsening the problem. “Where is the government when the foundation was being laid?” asked Andrew Osarhieme, a property expert. “The government is being more reactive than proactive.”

While the Lagos State Building Control Agency insists demolitions are to protect lives, critics argue that most homeowners are not given fair notice. A recent Abuja High Court ruling declared some FCT demolitions illegal and awarded ₦200 million in damages.

Property lawyer Mathias Egem warned that frequent demolitions violate citizens’ right to property and are often used as political weapons. “Many pour their life savings into these buildings,” he said, calling for harmonized property laws and stronger protection against land grabbing.

Source: Business Day

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