By Residents of Makoko, a historic waterfront community in Lagos, are facing serious hardship following government demolitions that have left thousands of people without homes. The demolitions prompted a protest yesterday, January 15, 2026, with residents demanding an immediate halt to the exercise.
Activist VeryDarkMan released a video today, January 16, 2026, warning about the impact of the demolitions. He reminded the public that he first raised concerns on April 28, 2025, but his warning was largely ignored.
“As of today, they have gone to demolish the buildings. These people are displaced. Where will they stay? What will they eat? They rely on fishing and selling wood to survive. The government did not provide housing,” he said.
VeryDarkMan said the government should provide low cost housing before demolitions. Residents should pay in small instalments, and once payment is complete, they should receive ownership of the property. He also called on the Lagos State Government to prove ownership of the land before continuing with the demolitions.
Protests Against the Demolitions
The demolition sparked protests on January 15, 2026. Residents of the Ilaje Aiyetoro Community in Yaba Local Council blocked parts of the road to the Lagos State House of Assembly. They carried placards with messages such as “Please hear our cry,” “Please maintain 100 metres,” “Protect our homes, save our families,” and “Immediate stop of demolition beyond 100 metres.”
Only a handful of youths were present at the waterfront during the protest. Despite their presence, officials reportedly continued removing buildings, showing that the exercise extended beyond the agreed safety limits. Thousands of people are estimated to be affected by the demolitions.
Government Response
The Lagos State Government defended the ongoing demolitions on Tuesday, July 13, 2025. Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, said the people opposing the exercise were residents who refused to vacate areas marked for demolition.
“There is no problem with Makoko,” Oki said. “The Makoko people have been one. We have been on this for the last five years. There have been a series of engagements. We begged them, held meetings with them, and they agreed. The people making noise now are those stubborn boys who do not want to leave the place. What the law says is 100 metres from the power line.”
He added that the government acted in the interest of public safety and warned that residents would hold the state responsible if a power line fell into the water.
