The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has accused some native and worldwide Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of making the most of the demolition train within the Makoko space of the state.
The governor stated these NGOs have made some huge cash from international donors, requesting grants and wealth into these locations.
This was made identified by Governor Sanwo-Olu, whereas talking to journalists after signing the N4.4 trillion appropriation invoice into regulation on Monday, January 19, 2025.
Sanwo-Olu, who defended the demolition of buildings in that axis, stated the state authorities is finding out the scenario and can present proof.
Sanwo-Olu insisted that the affected NGOs are doing all these to cowl their very own lies, noting that they’ve didn’t do what they’d promised to do.
The governor stated, “We’re conscious that there are some native and worldwide NGOs that wish to revenue from this. We’re finding out, and we’re going to indicate you proof.
“They’ve made a lot cash from worldwide donors. And that they’ve requested for therefore many grants and wealth into these locations, and it’s only for them to cowl their very own lies and the truth that they’ve not completed what they stated they had been going to be doing.
“That’s why they’re all shouting and crying greater than the bereaved. And we’re right here to face them and to allow them to see the the reason why now we have to do what we’re doing.’’
“There have been a number of, you already know, points and tales right here and there on what we’re doing. They point out that we’re doing Makoko and the remainder of it,” he added.
He stated the state authorities took the choice “for the general security of the residents”, including that lots of the inhabitants erected buildings underneath high-tension cable.
“Of what curiosity will it’s for the federal government to wish to unduly demolish anyone’s what, what curiosity if it isn’t for the general security of the residents that we’re speaking about.
“A number of these individuals have constructed the shanties proper underneath the high-tension wires.
“And so we can’t be a lawless state of individuals. One thing has to present sooner or later as a result of we can’t fold our arms and let calamity or catastrophe occur,” Sanwo-Olu added.
The Lagos State Authorities had, in September 2025, introduced plans to demolish shanties constructed straight underneath high-tension energy strains in Makoko, Yaba, citing pressing security issues for residents of the densely populated waterfront group.
The transfer follows current demolitions on the Oworonshoki finish of the Third Mainland Bridge, the place the state eliminated dilapidated and unsafe buildings.
The federal government defined that it wanted to behave to forestall potential disasters, stressing that lives could be in danger if energy cables failed. It added that investigations linked some site visitors robberies on the Third Mainland Bridge to individuals residing within the shanties who used the realm as cowl
The Makoko space is split between land-based and waterfront areas, which comprise rows of shanties constructed on the Lagos lagoon, one of many world’s largest cities, with an estimated inhabitants of over 15 million.
In accordance with a Lagos-based governance advocacy group, Company Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), the current demolitions, which began in December and are ongoing, have affected greater than 3,000 dwellings and displaced greater than 10,000 individuals.