A coalition of national and international human rights, environmental and social justice organisations has demanded an immediate halt to all demolitions and forced evictions in Lagos waterfront and informal communities, calling for compensation, resettlement and accountability over recent government actions.
The groups, in a joint statement, urged the Lagos State Government to comply fully with existing court orders, provide emergency shelter for displaced residents, ensure access to healthcare and education for affected families, and initiate a transparent resettlement plan developed in consultation with impacted communities.
They also called for compensation for homes, schools, health facilities and livelihoods destroyed during the demolitions, as well as redress for victims of alleged brutality. The coalition further demanded a public apology from the Lagos State Government over the displacement and suffering caused.
The statement condemned what it described as systemic and illegal forced evictions in communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Otumara and Baba-Ijora, alleging that thousands of residents were displaced with little or no notice, consultation or resettlement arrangements.
According to the groups, several communities have experienced repeated demolitions over the years, citing incidents in Otodo Gbame between 2016 and 2017, Oworonshoki in 2023 and 2025, and Ilaje-Otumara and Baba-Ijora in March 2025, which they say left thousands homeless.
The coalition alleged that in Makoko, demolitions that began in December 2025 affected thousands of homes, forcing residents, including women, children and the elderly, out of their communities. They also claimed that schools, clinics and places of worship were impacted, worsening humanitarian conditions.
The groups accused the Lagos State Government of disregarding court rulings that prohibit forced evictions without due process.
They referenced past judgments restraining the state from demolitions in waterfront communities and awarding damages to affected residents, which they say remain unpaid.
The statement rejected the state government’s plan to provide palliatives, insisting that displaced residents require proper housing, compensation and restoration of livelihoods rather than temporary relief materials.
While acknowledging the government’s responsibility to regulate urban development and ensure public safety, the coalition maintained that genuine urban renewal should be inclusive, participatory and rights-based.
They urged Lagos State to adopt settlement-upgrading models used in other African cities rather than forced evictions.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Government had yet to officially respond to the demands.
