Former Minister Of Education Obiageli Ezekwesili
The demolition of homes in Makoko, one of Lagos’ most densely populated waterfront communities, has reignited national debate over citizenship, urban development, and the rights of the urban poor, following a strongly worded intervention by former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili.
In an open memorandum addressed to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ezekwesili condemned the exercise, describing it as a violation of constitutional guarantees and a troubling example of how urban planning can be weaponised against vulnerable populations.
Rather than framing the demolitions as a routine safety or environmental measure, Ezekwesili argued that the action reflects a deeper governance failure—one that questions who truly belongs in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding cities.
“Makoko residents are not squatters on Nigerian soil. They are citizens,” she stated, stressing that poverty does not erase citizenship or the rights that flow from it. She noted that residents work, raise families, and contribute to the economy, while their children—many now displaced—represent some of the country’s brightest potential.
Central to her criticism was what she described as a breach of trust by state authorities. According to Ezekwesili, community leaders were initially informed that demolitions would be limited to structures within 30 to 50 metres of high-tension power lines, in line with safety regulations. However, she cited reports from human rights monitors indicating that demolitions extended far beyond those limits, reaching hundreds of metres into residential areas.
This, she argued, undermines claims that the exercise was purely about safety, raising concerns about land acquisition and abuse of state power. She likened the situation to historical abuses of authority, warning that unchecked executive action erodes public confidence in governance institutions.
Ezekwesili further highlighted the humanitarian consequences of the demolitions, describing a growing crisis marked by homelessness, disrupted education, destroyed livelihoods, and exposure to health and security risks. She called for immediate relief measures, including emergency shelter, healthcare, and compensation for affected families.
Beyond emergency responses, she urged a rethink of Lagos’ urban development model, advocating inclusive city planning that prioritises in-situ upgrading, secure tenure, sanitation, schools, and livelihoods rather than forced evictions.
“A mega-city earns respect not by pushing the poor to the margins, but by integrating them into its vision of growth,” she said.
Her intervention has added momentum to calls for greater transparency, accountability, and citizen-centred planning in Lagos, as the Makoko demolitions continue to shape national conversations about justice, development, and the moral responsibility of the state.