Lawmakers ignore protests to support urban safety measures
The Lagos State House of Assembly has formally expressed its support for the executive arm’s ongoing demolition of illegal structures and shanties across the state.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the House maintained that the exercise is a necessary intervention to safeguard lives and ensure sustainable urban development. This legislative backing comes despite a wave of emotional protests from residents of affected communities, particularly in Makoko and Oworonsoki, who have stormed the Assembly complex in recent days.
Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, declared that the state can no longer tolerate the proliferation of ramshackle structures along shorelines. He noted that these areas have frequently turned into abodes for miscreants, kidnappers, and street urchins who threaten the safety of innocent citizens. Representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency-01, Ogundipe emphasized that while the exercise is painful for those affected, it serves the greater good of protecting the larger society.
The Assembly‘s stance reinforces the position of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which has intensified its enforcement activities since early January 2026. Lawmakers argued that structures erected under high-tension power lines pose an immediate “ticking time bomb” to occupants and must be removed to prevent avoidable disasters. The leadership of the Assembly described the current administration’s actions as responsible, forward-looking, and essential for the realization of Lagos as a safe megacity.
Residents and activists decry “inhumane” displacement
The legislative support has been met with stiff resistance from residents of the Makoko waterfront community and various civil society organizations. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, hundreds of protesters marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, carrying placards that pleaded for mercy and a halt to the destruction. They accused the government of exceeding the agreed-upon 100-meter safety setback from high-tension lines, claiming that officials were instead clearing vast portions of the historic community.
Zikora Ibeh, representing Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), alleged that the government had “lied” to the community regarding the scope of the demolition. She stated that over 3,000 homes have already been destroyed, displacing an estimated 10,000 people, including vulnerable women and children. Activists have described the enforcement as “shock treatment” that produces homelessness overnight, calling for an immediate investigation into the use of force by security operatives.
In Jakande Estate, Ilesan, residents also staged a peaceful protest against what they termed “forceful eviction” without adequate compensation. Leading the group, Alhaji Abdulhameed Shuaib lamented that the government’s compensation offers were grossly inadequate compared to the current market value of their homes. Despite obtaining a court injunction to restrain further demolitions until February 4, 2026, residents claimed that threats from state officials have continued unabated.
Governor Sanwo-Olu defends safety over sentiment
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stood firm on the government’s decision, insisting that the safety of lives is paramount and cannot be compromised for political or sentimental reasons. Speaking on Monday, January 19, 2026, after signing the N4.4 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, the Governor addressed the Makoko situation directly. He argued that allowing citizens to live under high-tension wires is a recipe for calamity and that the government’s intervention is an act of compassion, not punishment.
The Governor also accused certain local and international non-governmental organizations of “crying more than the bereaved” for financial gain. He alleged that some groups exploit the plight of the urban poor to secure large grants from international donors while spreading falsehoods about the state’s intentions. To mitigate the hardship, Sanwo-Olu announced that he has directed relevant ministries to roll out palliatives, including relocation options and grants, for verified displaced persons.
As the demolition squads continue their work across the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi axis, the government has sent a clear message that compliance with building regulations is non-negotiable. The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has been tasked with intensifying monitoring to ensure that no part of the state remains exempt from urban planning laws. For now, the “cleanup” of Lagos continues, leaving the city divided between those cheering for a modern megacity and those mourning the loss of their ancestral homes.
