The chaos around Makoko demolition: Regeneration or erasure?
By Ushang Achu
The recent demolition exercise in Makoko has stirred intense public debate, raising critical questions about urban safety, development priorities, and the human cost of progress.
Often referred to as the “Venice of Lagos,” Makoko is once again under threat, this time due to government concerns about residents encroaching on high-tension electrical infrastructure and the alleged misuse of the environment. While safety concerns are valid and cannot be ignored, the bigger question remains: must Makoko be completely wiped out to achieve safety and development?
Recent reports suggest that the Lagos State Government, in partnership with the United Nations and private investors, are considering reclaiming the land for a mixed-use development. On the surface, this approach may appear progressive and economically attractive. However, true urban progress cannot be measured by infrastructure alone; it must also account for people, history and culture.
Makoko is not a recent informal settlement. The community has existed for over a century, evolving organically as a fishing settlement long before modern Lagos expanded around it. Its existence is not unique. Cities across Africa, Asia, and even Europe have grown around similar informal or low-income communities. What distinguishes successful cities from failed ones is how they respond to these realities.
History has shown that forced displacement often leads to deeper social problems such as loss of livelihoods, increased urban poverty, and cultural erasure. In contrast, inclusive urban regeneration prioritizes safety, dignity, and economic integration without uprooting communities entirely.
Across the world, governments have adopted alternative approaches that offer important lessons. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Favela-Bairro Programme focused on upgrading infrastructure such as roads, drainage, electricity, and schools while allowing residents to remain in place. In Nairobi, Kenya, the Kibera Slum Upgrading Project emphasized phased redevelopment, community participation, and the provision of affordable housing close to residents’ original homes. Medellín, Colombia, once known for crime and informal settlements, invested in cable cars, public spaces, and social infrastructure that connected marginalized communities to the wider city rather than removing them. Similarly, European cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen preserved historic waterfront communities by enforcing safety regulations and modern building standards instead of erasing cultural heritage. These examples demonstrate that informality does not equal illegitimacy. With thoughtful planning, informal settlements can become functional, safe, and economically productive parts of a city.
For Makoko, a better path forward lies in a multi-layered and humane approach. Rather than total demolition, Lagos State could adopt phased and participatory redevelopment that actively engages Makoko residents, traditional leaders, urban planners, and architects in the redesign process. Development carried out with the people is far more sustainable than development imposed on them.
Inclusive social and affordable housing should also be prioritized, with alternative housing solutions provided within or near Makoko to prevent displacement far from livelihoods, especially for fishing families whose survival depends on proximity to water. Infrastructure and safety upgrades are equally critical, including rerouting or properly securing electrical installations, introducing safer building materials, enforcing setback regulations near critical infrastructure, improving sanitation and waste management systems.
Beyond physical infrastructure, cultural and economic preservation must be central to any intervention. Makoko’s fishing economy, craftsmanship, and waterfront culture are assets, not liabilities. These strengths can be integrated into eco-tourism initiatives, cultural hubs and local enterprise development that benefit both residents and the wider city. Legal recognition and planning integration are also essential. Recognizing Makoko within Lagos’ formal urban framework would enable regulation, taxation, and service provision, transforming the community from a perceived problem into a genuine urban opportunity.
Development should not come at the cost of humanity. Makoko’s story is not merely about illegal structures or unsafe proximity to infrastructure; it is about people who have lived, worked, and contributed to Lagos for generations. If Lagos truly seeks global city status, then its approach to Makoko must reflect inclusive growth, cultural preservation and social responsibility, not just land reclamation and profit-driven redevelopment.
The choice before us is clear: urban regeneration that uplifts or urban erasure that displaces.
Ushang Achu ([email protected]) is an architect with a strong emphasis on context-driven design, sustainable building practices and thoughtful spatial planning. With experience spanning residential, commercial and mixed-use projects, Ushang approaches architecture as a careful balance of functionality, aesthetics and environmental responsibility. Deeply passionate about community development, Ushang is actively committed to initiatives that support rural communities, educational development and broader social progress. Through design leadership and professional engagement, Ushang seeks to contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and long-term societal advancement.
Ushang is a Full Member of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a Full Member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (MNIA) and a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).