- Makoko demolition suspended after intense protests
- Lagos Assembly orders halt to forced evictions
- Sanwo-Olu government bows to public pressure
- Stakeholders to be consulted before next steps
The Makoko demolition suspension has been officially confirmed after the Lagos State House of Assembly ordered an immediate halt to the violent demolition and forced eviction exercise in the waterfront community, following widespread protests and public outrage against the Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State government.
The Lagos State government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended the ongoing demolition exercise in Makoko community, bowing to sustained pressure from residents, civil society organisations, and human rights activists.
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The suspension directive came from the Lagos State House of Assembly, which stepped in after days of protests and reports of displacement, destruction of homes, and alleged violence against residents.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Noheem Adams, said lawmakers agreed to stop the demolitions after meeting directly with representatives of the Makoko community.
According to Adams, the engagement allowed lawmakers to hear firsthand the fears and grievances of residents affected by the exercise.
“In the interest of fairness and justice, the House has resolved to intervene,” Adams said.
“All ongoing demolitions should be stopped.”
The decision was also confirmed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, who told SaharaReporters that the suspension was part of an agreement reached during a meeting involving the House of Assembly, government officials, and Makoko indigenes.
Adams added that the Assembly would now work with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to review the demolition plan and ensure that due process is followed.
He stressed that community leaders, government agencies, and other stakeholders would be properly consulted before any future action is taken.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement, has repeatedly faced demolition threats linked to urban renewal and environmental concerns.
Earlier, the Ogu General Assembly (OGA) strongly condemned the demolition, accusing the Lagos State government of targeting Ogu-dominated waterfront communities under the guise of development.
In a position paper dated February 2, 2026, the group warned that the demolition had escalated into a humanitarian crisis, citing deaths, mass displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
The OGA described Makoko as a historic fishing settlement with over 300,000 residents, alleging that the exercise amounted to “forced eviction, violent displacement, ethnic cleansing, and gentrification.”
Addressing lawmakers on February 3, Prof Olaoluwa recalled the destruction of Otodogbamẹ, now known as Periwinkle Island.
“If Makoko goes down, what happens to the indigenous people who have lived there since the 17th century?” he asked.
“The government must convince us that there is no deliberate attempt to wipe out our people.”
The Assembly assured residents that the issue would be handled with urgency, transparency, and fairness.