A Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) in Lagos has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu not to reverse the planned evacuation of residents living beneath high-tension power lines in Makoko, warning that delaying action could expose the community to avoidable disaster.
The coalition said the evacuation was necessary to safeguard lives, stressing that proactive relocation of residents would be far more beneficial than responding to a potential tragedy.
The position was contained in a statement dated February 25, 2026, titled “Makoko and the Need for Sincerity by Stakeholders,” and signed by Nelson Ekujumi, Razaq Oladosu, Peter Oparah, Rotimi Falola, Uche Nnadozie, Elijah Ajanu, Shola Omolola, Biola Ogunsanya and Shafiu Mohammed.
According to the group, Makoko has remained a recurring subject of demolitions by successive administrations due to the proliferation of structures erected under high-tension power lines and in conditions considered unsafe for human habitation. It recalled previous demolition exercises carried out in 2005 and 2012 as part of government efforts to address environmental and safety concerns in the waterfront settlement.
The coalition described Makoko as one of Lagos’ most complex urban spaces, noting that the community’s large population—estimated between 80,000 and 250,000 residents—continues to grapple with inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, erratic electricity supply and weak waste management systems. Many residents, it added, depend largely on artisanal fishing and informal trade, factors that heighten their economic vulnerability.
While acknowledging the hardship faced by residents affected by the demolitions, the group maintained that government has a constitutional duty to protect lives and prevent environmental and safety hazards. It alleged that earlier agreements between authorities and community representatives on the removal of structures violating safety setbacks were not fully honoured, thereby necessitating government intervention.
The coalition also noted that the demolitions had generated tension and accusations of insincerity between residents and authorities, urging stakeholders to prioritise transparency and constructive dialogue.
Commending the intervention of the Lagos State House of Assembly for suspending further demolitions and setting up a stakeholder committee, the group welcomed the state government’s commitment to enumerating affected properties and addressing the situation with compassion.
It further called for accelerated implementation of a comprehensive urban development plan for Makoko to prevent future crises, insisting that sustained evacuation from unsafe locations remains critical to averting potential loss of lives.
The coalition urged all parties to demonstrate sincerity in ongoing engagements, warning that gaps in trust and communication could undermine efforts aimed at achieving lasting solutions for the community and the state at large.