Lagos Assembly directs immediate stop to Makoko demolitions, vows compensation for affected residents

The Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered an immediate suspension of ongoing demolitions in Makoko and nearby communities in Yaba Local Government Area, while pledging compensation for residents whose homes and properties were affected.

The decision followed growing concerns over the impact of the exercise on families and businesses within the waterfront community, many of whom were left displaced.

Lawmakers reached the resolution on Tuesday after holding a crucial meeting with representatives of the affected communities at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, located within the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

Speaking after the deliberations, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee set up by the Speaker, Mr. Noheem Adams, announced the Assembly’s position while reading the official resolutions from the meeting.

This newspaper reported on Monday that the Assembly convened the meeting after receiving a petition from the affected communities.

Speaking after the deliberations, Adams said the House resolved that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in the demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities should suspend the exercise until further notice.

He added that residents whose properties had already been demolished would be compensated.

He said, “All demolitions in Makoko and its waterfront communities should stop with immediate effect until further notice. Any task force to be constituted must involve community representatives and engage them adequately.

“As your representatives, we assure you that the demolition will be stopped and that all those whose properties have been demolished will be compensated.”

Responding on behalf of the affected communities, the Baale of one of the communities, Mr Isaac Gunmayon, expressed appreciation to the Assembly for its intervention.

“They invited us to explain what happened, and we discussed everything. The resolutions reached by the House reflect our wishes, and we are happy with the way they listened to us and gave us hope,” he said.

Recall that the demolition, which began in December 2025, had drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders.

Human rights groups, lawyers and residents had condemned the exercise, which displaced several residents.

However, the Lagos State Government has continued to defend the demolition, insisting it was carried out in the interest of the waterfront communities.

The state government also said it planned to spend about $10m on the regeneration of Makoko.