Months After Mass Eviction, Makoko Community Protests Planned Forcible Relocation

by MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

Residents of Makoko waterfront community in Lagos have protested an alleged plan to forcibly relocate them, months after no fewer than 30,000 persons were evicted between December 2025 and January 2026.

The residents, in a press release made available to journalists decried what they described as a lingering threat to their homes and livelihoods, calling for an immediate halt to further displacement.

A statement by Megan S. Chapman, Co-Founder/Co-Director of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives Nigeria, said the concerns were raised during a press conference held on April 12, 2026, at the Methodist Church in Adogbo, Makoko.

According to the statement, community representatives insisted that any development plan must prioritize their rights and inclusion.

They demanded to remain the primary beneficiaries of the proposed United Nations-supported Makoko Water Cities project.

The community warned that forced relocation without adequate engagement and compensation would worsen hardship and injustice among residents.

They also called on government authorities, development partners, and civil society organizations to intervene and ensure a people-centered approach to development in the area.

The residents further shared video highlights and images from the press conference, urging media organizations to amplify their concerns and support their demand for justice.

They reiterated their commitment to resisting further displacement while advocating sustainable solutions that would enable them to remain and thrive in their ancestral community.