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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has alleged that some local and international non-governmental organisations are attempting to profit from the ongoing demolition of structures in Makoko.
The governor made the claim on Monday while speaking to journalists after signing the ₦4.4 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law. He said the state government was aware of the activities of certain organisations and was reviewing information related to their involvement.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the demolition exercise was being misrepresented by some groups that he claimed had received huge funding from international donors without fulfilling their stated objectives.
He said the government had been engaging with such organisations for over two years and would present evidence to support its position.
“What we are doing is not demolishing the whole of Makoko,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“We are clearing areas to ensure they do not encroach on the Third Mainland Bridge and to keep residents away from high-tension lines. We are aware that some local and international NGOs want to profit from this.
“We are studying it and will present evidence. They make so much money from international donors and have asked for large grants concerning these areas, only to cover their own falsehoods and the fact that they have not done what they promised. That is why they are shouting and crying more than the bereaved.
“We’ve been on this for two and a half years and have held meetings with them. We cannot fold our arms and allow calamity to happen.”
Sanwo-Olu maintained that the demolition, which began in December 2025, was necessary to remove structures on power-line setbacks. He said some of the affected structures were built under high-tension power lines and in hazardous areas.
The governor said the exercise was not intended to clear the entire Makoko community but to prevent potential disasters, adding that the state could not delay action in the face of safety risks.
