Governor Sanwo-Olu defends Makoko demolitions, citing imminent danger

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has justified his administration’s decision to demolish waterfront shanties in Makoko, stating the action was a crucial measure to protect lives and avert an impending humanitarian crisis.

The governor addressed the issue on Friday during a private breakfast meeting with corporate executives in Ikoyi. The event was organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to rally support for the state’s security needs for 2026.

In response to public outcry and protests following the clearing of structures along the Third Mainland Bridge corridor, Sanwo-Olu explained that the settlement’s rapid expansion had brought it dangerously close to critical public infrastructure.

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“I have been accused of destroying Makoko. But the challenge is that the settlement was growing at an incredible speed and moving dangerously close to the bridge,” he stated. “There are high-tension power lines underneath. I am not going to sit down and allow a situation where, in one day, 100 to 500 people could die.”

He emphasized that the demolition was not politically motivated or intended to permanently displace residents, but rather to move them from a high-risk zone. “Of what benefit would it be for the government to dislocate people?” Sanwo-Olu questioned. “It can only be for their own safety. We will not sit back, allow disaster to happen, and then be blamed for inaction.”

The governor revealed that previous attempts to partner with international development agencies for a sustainable redevelopment of Makoko had stalled. “For six years, a United Nations agency said if I brought money, they would support development. I told them I already had my own money. Till today, they have not returned. Only last week they said they had no funds,” he said.

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Sanwo-Olu also criticized certain non-governmental organizations, accusing them of using the Makoko situation to secure donor funds without providing viable, long-term solutions.

During the forum, the governor also appealed to the private sector to increase its contributions to the state’s security framework through the LSSTF. He highlighted the need for advanced equipment, including multipurpose helicopters, drones, armored personnel carriers, and an upgraded digital communication system.

“We want to ensure Lagos remains secure,” Sanwo-Olu affirmed. “We are rebuilding the Command and Control Centre with state-of-the-art equipment and scaling up our Safe City CCTV initiative. Improving emergency response capacity remains a top priority.”

He noted that the Lagos State Government currently covers over half of the state’s annual security budget and praised the LSSTF for its consistent transparency and accountability.

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Citing a past success, Sanwo-Olu recalled the relocation of the Okobaba sawmill operators to Agbowa. He explained that the move, which involved a multi-billion naira investment and the provision of over 500 housing units, successfully ended years of frequent fire outbreaks in the area.

The governor concluded by stressing the interconnectedness of urban safety, security, and social infrastructure in maintaining Lagos’s appeal to investors. “We need to keep our people safe, secure the future and assure investors that Lagos remains the right environment for growth,” he added.