Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Defends Makoko Demolition, Appeals for Support to Lagos State Security Trust Fund

 Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has strongly defended the recent demolition of structures in parts of the Makoko waterfront community, describing the action as essential for public safety and to avert potential disasters.

Speaking at a private breakfast meeting with selected Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in Ikoyi, the governor addressed criticisms and protests following the demolitions. He explained that the exercise targeted illegal shanties that had expanded rapidly and encroached dangerously close to critical infrastructure, including the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines.

“I have been accused of destroying Makoko,” Sanwo-Olu said. “But the challenge is that the settlement was growing at an incredible speed and moving dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge with high-tension power lines underneath. I am not going to sit down and wait for something to drop off and, in one day, lose between 100 and 500 lives. What we did was to push them back for safety reasons.”

The governor emphasized that the demolitions, which began in late 2025, were carried out in the overall public interest and not intended to target or displace residents arbitrarily. He clarified that the government is not demolishing the entire Makoko community but focusing on high-risk areas to prevent humanitarian crises, such as potential collapses or fires under power lines. Sanwo-Olu reiterated the administration's commitment to urban renewal, sustainable development, and improving living conditions, with plans for relocation and palliatives in some reports.

In the same address, Governor Sanwo-Olu appealed to individuals, corporate organizations, and the private sector to increase financial contributions to the LSSTF. He highlighted the need to sustain and scale up Lagos State's security architecture amid growing demands.

The governor noted that the state already funds more than half of its annual security expenditure, but additional resources are required for priority items in 2026, including multipurpose helicopters, drones, armoured personnel carriers, water cannons, smart CCTV systems, and enhancements to the Command and Control Center.

“The LSSTF has continued to enjoy credibility due to transparency and accountability,” Sanwo-Olu said, urging deeper private sector involvement to ensure Lagos remains safe and secure for residents and businesses.

The comments come amid ongoing debates over the Makoko demolitions, with some residents, rights groups, and critics raising concerns about displacement, humanitarian impacts, and the need for proper resettlement. However, the state government maintains that the measures promote safety, rule of law, and long-term benefits for all Lagosians.

This development underscores the Sanwo-Olu administration's dual focus on urban planning/safety enforcement and bolstering security infrastructure through public-private partnerships.