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The Kreative Arts Foundation for Community Engagement (KafComE) has appealed to the Lagos State Government to halt ongoing demolition of the Makoko Community to save residents from homelessness.
Founder of the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr. Willie Workman, made the appeal in a statement on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Lagos.
Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, had faced demolitions since December 2025.
The state government had said that the exercise was necessary to remove structures on power-line setbacks.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had justified the demolition of structures in the community, on grounds that same was aimed at averting tragedy.
The governor stated that the demolition was for the overriding public interest, adding that many residents of the community had built shanties under high-tension wires.
Meanwhile, In a statement on Thursday, the organisation noted that the exercise had left many homeless.
According to Workman, the United Nation’s (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25, safeguards the right of individuals to a standard of living, including housing.
He consequently appealed to government to back the demolition exercise, with adequate compensation, or resettlement of the residents.
“The government should prioritise humane resettlement and compensation,” he said.
Workman underscored the need for the state government to acknowledge the community’s right to adequate housing, just like the UN’s guidelines on development-based displacement.
He urged government to ensure provision of alternative housing for residents, as well as protection for vulnerable groups in the community.
By Lilian U. Okoro
