Manny Ita
The Lagos State Government has announced a $2 million commitment to the Water Cities Project, designating the initiative as the primary framework for the regeneration of the Makoko waterfront settlement. The disclosure was made on Monday, February 2, 2026, by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Babatunde Olajide. This funding follows recent enforcement actions and demolitions in the area, which state officials have defended as essential components of a safety-driven urban renewal program designed to protect residents living in hazardous conditions.
According to Babatunde Olajide, the Water Cities Project was selected after experts advised against shoreline extension, noting that “Water Cities is the sustainable option, and that is what we are pursuing with the Makoko community.” He emphasized that the state government opted for this model because it aligns with international best practices and environmental standards for sensitive waterfront habitats. Olajide further clarified that recent clearing of structures located beneath high-tension power lines was conducted “strictly on safety grounds,” maintaining that such interventions are intended to safeguard lives rather than penalize the inhabitants of the globally recognized community.
The state’s broader urban renewal strategy has included the relocation of Okobaba sawmill operators to Timberville and the ongoing redevelopment of 21 markets, including Pelewura and Jankara. While the government highlights these as successes, providing housing units and industrial equipment to displaced persons, advocacy groups have raised concerns regarding the scale of recent displacements. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) reported that demolitions in Makoko and Oworonshoki have affected more than 10,000 residents. The group alleged that the enforcement zone was expanded from 50 meters to 100 meters away from power lines, which they claim “disproportionately affected low-income residents who rely on the waterfront for fishing.”
In response to criticism over compensation, which reportedly ranges from N300,000 to N5 million for verified homeowners, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently alleged that certain non-governmental organizations have sought to profit from the situation by “requesting foreign grants and aid for the area.” Despite these tensions, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) maintains that all demolition exercises followed due process, including the issuance of statutory notices and amnesty periods. The government insists that the $2 million investment in the Water Cities Project will eventually transform the settlement into a safer, more organized, and environmentally resilient urban space.
