By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has defended the demolition of structures in Makoko, noting that “some local and international NGOs want to profit from this.”
Speaking on Monday, January 19, after signing the N4.4 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law, Sanwo-Olu said the Makoko demolition was carried out to avert tragedy.
The Makoko waterfront community has faced demolitions since December 2025, an action the government said was necessary to remove structures on power-line setbacks.
He added that the government was committed to the safety of lives and property, referencing the fuel tanker incident that took place earlier in the day and how the swift intervention of the government forestalled disaster.
Sanwo-Olu said: “The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded. I just explained to you that a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel fell on a bridge and spilled fuel, and over 100 people were there scooping it.
“We had to deploy our first responders to address the situation. If anything had happened, this is not what we would be talking about.
“It’s a similar thing we’re doing in Makoko. Of what interest would it be for the government to demolish anyone’s structure if not for the overall safety of citizens?”
The governor noted that a lot of people had built shanties under high-tension wires, adding that the demolitions are to avoid encroachment on the Third Mainland Bridge.
“What we are doing is not demolishing the whole of Makoko. We are clearing areas to ensure they do not encroach on the Third Mainland Bridge and to keep residents away from high-tension lines. We are aware that some local and international NGOs want to profit from this.
“We are studying it and will present evidence. They make so much money from international donors and have asked for large grants concerning these areas, only to cover their own falsehoods and the fact that they have not done what they promised. That is why they are shouting and crying more than the bereaved.
“We’ve been on this for two and a half years and have held meetings with them. We cannot fold our arms and allow calamity to happen,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu also announced that he had ordered relevant authorities to roll out palliative measures for affected residents.
He said: “By the way, I’ve instructed both the local government and the relevant ministries to see how they can provide additional support, palliatives, relocation options, and grants for some of these people, just to show compassion.”
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement in Lagos, has long faced threats of eviction and demolition due to its informal status and proximity to critical urban infrastructure.
