Makoko Demolitions: Housing Advocacy Group Warns Against Forcing Residents Into Homelessness

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has raised urgent concerns regarding the ongoing demolition of residential buildings in Makoko, Lagos State. The organisation warned that the exercise has left numerous families displaced and plunged residents into a state of uncertainty and insecurity.

Addressing the issue, HDAN Executive Director, Mr. Festus Adebayo, acknowledged the Lagos State Government’s position that some of the demolished structures were situated beneath high-tension power lines, presenting potential safety hazards.

However, Adebayo emphasized that ensuring safety should never compromise the welfare, dignity, and human rights of vulnerable citizens.

“While it is the government’s responsibility to safeguard lives and maintain urban planning standards, demolitions carried out without adequate resettlement measures threaten to worsen poverty, social dislocation, and economic hardship,” he said.

Makoko, he noted, is a densely populated community largely inhabited by low-income residents who depend on fishing, informal trade, and small-scale businesses for survival. According to Adebayo, any form of urban development must strike a balance between safety and social justice, incorporating inclusive planning and practical resettlement solutions.

HDAN has called on the Lagos State Government to immediately halt further demolition activities and engage in structured dialogue with affected communities. The organisation also recommended the provision of affordable, safe, and accessible alternative housing, alongside compensation frameworks that align with national and international human rights and housing standards.

Furthermore, Adebayo stressed the importance of participatory urban planning processes, where community members are actively involved in decisions that directly impact their lives.

“No Lagos resident should be made homeless in the name of urban development. A truly progressive city safeguards both its infrastructure and the lives, homes, and livelihoods of its people,” he added.

HDAN reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration with government agencies, civil society organisations, and community leaders to promote sustainable, safe, and inclusive housing solutions across Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.