The Lagos State House of Assembly has proposed the relocation of residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro waterfront communities to Agbowa in Epe Local Government Area following the demolition of structures in the affected areas.
The recommendation was made after the assembly adopted the report of its standing committee on rules and business regarding the demolition exercise carried out in the waterfront settlements.
In December 2025, the Lagos State Government began demolishing what it described as “illicit structures” in communities located around the Third Mainland Bridge. The operation led to the displacement of several residents, prompting protests from the affected communities and a petition to the Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Following the complaints, the legislature directed that the demolition exercise be suspended and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Presenting the committee’s findings during plenary, the panel’s chairman, Noheem Adams, said the committee held five separate meetings with petitioners and conducted visits to the communities alongside relevant government officials and agencies.
According to Adams, the demolition resulted in the destruction of homes and property and left many residents displaced.
The committee noted that many of the affected residents rely on fishing for their livelihood and have lived in the waterfront communities for decades. It also observed that living conditions in the areas have worsened since the demolition exercise.
As part of its recommendations, the committee urged the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to direct the state’s special adviser on E-GIS to review the enumeration report submitted by the Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon communities.
The lawmakers further recommended relocating the affected residents to a proposed low-cost housing estate to be developed in Agbowa, where the communities could continue their fishing activities.
The committee also advised the state government to engage the Oloto of the Otto family in the planned water city project and recognise the family as the original owners of the land.
Earlier in February 2026, the Lagos government announced plans to invest $10 million in the water city project aimed at modernising the fishing communities along the state’s waterfront.
Melissa Enoch
