Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has defended his administration’s demolition of waterfront shanties in parts of Makoko, saying the action was taken solely to protect lives and avert what he described as a looming humanitarian crisis.

The governor made the remarks on Friday during a closed-door breakfast meeting with selected Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers in Ikoyi. The session was organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to mobilize resources for the state’s security initiatives in 2026.

Responding to public criticism and protests following the demolition of structures along the Third Mainland Bridge corridor, Sanwo-Olu said the Makoko settlement had expanded rapidly and encroached dangerously close to critical infrastructure.

“I have been accused of destroying Makoko. But the reality is that the settlement was growing at an alarming speed and moving dangerously close to the bridge. There are high-tension power lines underneath. I cannot allow a situation where, in a single day, hundreds of people could die,” he stated.

The governor emphasized that the operation was not politically motivated and was not aimed at permanently displacing residents, but rather at relocating them from areas deemed unsafe.

“Of what benefit would it be for the government to dislocate people? The only reason is their safety. We cannot sit back, wait for a disaster, and then be blamed for inaction,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He disclosed that the state government had pursued partnerships with international development agencies to redevelop Makoko sustainably, but progress had been limited.

“For six years, a United Nations agency said they would support development if I brought funds. I told them I already had resources. Yet, they did not return until last week, when they said they had no funds,” he explained.

Sanwo-Olu also criticized certain non-governmental organizations, accusing them of exploiting the Makoko situation to attract donor funding rather than providing lasting solutions.

Beyond Makoko, the governor urged the private sector to deepen its support for Lagos’ security architecture through the LSSTF. He outlined priority security needs including multipurpose helicopters and drones, armored personnel carriers, water cannons, smart CCTV cameras, digital communication systems, patrol vehicles, tactical training, and upgrades to police infrastructure.

According to him, the Lagos State Government currently covers more than half of the state’s annual security expenditure, noting that the LSSTF’s credibility is maintained through transparency and accountability.

“We want Lagos to remain secure. We are rebuilding the Command and Control Centre with state-of-the-art equipment and expanding our Safe City CCTV initiative. Enhancing emergency response remains a top priority,” Sanwo-Olu added.

The governor also announced plans to commission 35 junior and senior secondary schools in Tolu, Ajegunle next month. The new facilities are expected to accommodate about 22,000 students, helping to address education gaps in densely populated communities.

Drawing a parallel with the long-standing Okobaba sawmill challenge, Sanwo-Olu highlighted his administration’s successful relocation of operators to Agbowa, ending years of recurrent fire incidents after investing billions of naira and providing over 500 housing units.

He stressed that urban safety, security, and social infrastructure must advance together for Lagos to remain attractive to investors.

“We need to keep our people safe, secure the future, and assure investors that Lagos continues to be the right environment for growth,” the governor concluded.