Lagos Assembly Proposes Relocation of Makoko Residents to Epe

The Lagos State House of Assembly has proposed relocating residents of the Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Sogunro waterfront communities to Agbowa in Epe Local Government Area.

The recommendation followed the adoption of a report by the assembly’s standing committee on rules and business regarding the demolition carried out in the affected communities.

In December 2025, the Lagos State Government began demolishing what it described as illegal structures in settlements located along the Third Mainland Bridge. The exercise displaced many residents and destroyed several homes.

Residents of the affected communities protested the demolitions and submitted a petition to Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the Lagos assembly. The lawmakers subsequently called for a suspension of the exercise and promised to investigate the issue.

While presenting the committee’s report during plenary, Noheem Adams, chairman of the committee, said the panel held five meetings with the petitioners and also visited the communities alongside government officials and relevant agencies.

Adams noted that the demolition led to the destruction of homes and property, leaving many residents displaced.

According to the committee, residents of the affected waterfront communities have lived there for decades and rely largely on fishing for their livelihood. Since the demolition, their living conditions have worsened significantly.

The committee therefore recommended that Babajide Sanwo-Olu direct the state’s special adviser on E-GIS to verify the enumeration report submitted by the Makoko, Sogunro and Oko-Agbon communities.

It also proposed that the government relocate affected residents to a planned low cost housing estate to be constructed in Agbowa, located in Epe, where they can continue their fishing activities.

In addition, the committee urged the state government to engage the Oloto of the Otto family in the development of the water city project and recognise the family as the original landowners.

Earlier in February 2026, the Lagos government announced plans to invest 10 million dollars in the water city project aimed at modernising the fishing community.