Human rights advocate, Yemi Adamolekun, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to ensure adequate compensation for residents displaced by the demolition exercise in Makoko.
She made the call on Thursday, the 29th of January, 2026, while speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, stressing that offering palliatives alone cannot sufficiently address the plight of those affected.
Adamolekun’s comments followed a fresh protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, where security operatives reportedly dispersed demonstrators with tear gas, while one protester was alleged to have been shot in the leg.
According to her, affected residents deserve compensation that would enable them secure alternative accommodation and sustain their livelihoods.
“Palliatives are not enough. Residents are due compensation that is enough for them to get somewhere else to live.
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“But the simple request that is being made is that you can’t take land away from people who this is their home. This is for those who fish. This is their means of livelihood, and they’ve lived there for decades, three, four generations, and the way you are moving them is just by destroying their property.
“And then Governor Sanwo-Olu says he’s going to give palliatives and and grants? I’m sorry, my understanding of a palliative is a temporary measure that you’re using until until a permanent solution is found.
“So destroying the homes in Makoko is not something that suddenly happened. It’s not that fire suddenly happened or a natural disaster m, so you didn’t plan for it and you then have to give palliatives and a stop gap measure until a plan is made,” she said.