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Economy

Lagos: Makoko residents protest property demolition, lament ‘violation’ of setback agreement

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Makoko residents protest property demolition

Lagos: Makoko residents protest property demolition, lament ‘violation’ of setback agreement

Lagos: Makoko residents protest property demolition, lament ‘violation’ of setback agreement. An aerial view of destroyed floating houses at Makoko community

Residents of Makoko, a community nestled on the Lagos lagoon, have protested the demolition of their homes by officials of the state government.

Speaking with TheCable on Thursday, they shared that the clearance began on December 22, 2025.
They said they initially thought the bulldozing was meant to destroy only homes within the 30-metre safety setback from the high tension power line.

The power line criss-crosses the community and the landmark Third Mainland Bridge.

The resident of Makoko paddles his boat towards the power line
Messou Abayomi, a resident and stakeholder, said sometime last year, community leaders and officials of the Lagos state government, agreed that only buildings within the 30-metre safety setback should be demolished.

Abayomi said it was later agreed that a 50-metre safety setback from the power line was sufficient and then 100-metre setback was finally settled for.

Abayomi said another round of levelling that kicked off on January 4 and 5 severely violated the 100-metre safety setback deal.

The green flag mast signifies the 100 metres from the power line but demolition has gone beyond the 100 metres
“They (officials of the Lagos government) have passed more than 100-metre setback. They are even going to 200-metre. They lied to us,” he said.

“They came with caterpillars and started demolishing the houses without notice. As we speak, they are still demolishing houses.”
Micheline Sunnuvun, a woman in her sixties, said she was not given notice before her home was brought down last Friday.

A temporal shelter for Micheline Sunnuvun, one of the affected resident who’s home was demolished
Sunnuvun said her goods, including bags of garri, were destroyed during the demolition exercise, adding that she has nowhere to go.

“I have been staying outside beside the shore since the demolition. At night, I usually use clothes to cover myself and sleep. They have destroyed all what I have been using for survival,” she said in Yoruba.

Makoko residents protest property demolition

Makoko residents protest property demolition

Another victim of the demolition is Wusu John, who has been residing in the waterfront community for over three decades. John, a fisherman, said he left Kweme community in Badagry to Makoko to continue his trade.

“I don’t have anywhere to go,” says Wusu John, one of the affected community member as he seats in front of remains of his demolished house
He said community leaders told him that his home would not be demolished since it was not in violation of the setback agreement.

John said security operatives attached to the demolition officials fired teargas canisters at residents.

“We have been staying here for a very long time. I was here when they did this power line,” he said.

Wusu John
“We were not prepared for this demolition. Since I moved here over 30 years ago, this place has become my home. I don’t have anywhere to go.”

When news men visited the community, some residents were seen sleeping in boats laden with their belongings, some cooking under their demolished house and a scavenger spotted at demolished community.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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