Makoko is an
informal settlement
Informal housing or informal settlement can include any form of housing, shelter, or settlement (or lack thereof) which is illegal, falls outside of government control or regulation, or is not afforded protection by the state. As such, the info ...
across the
3rd Mainland Bridge located on the coast of mainland
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...
. A third of the community is built on stilts along the lagoon and the rest is on the land. The waterfront part of the community is largely harboured by the
Egun
The Gun people, also rendered Ogũ, Ogun and Egun, are an ethnic group located majorly in Lagos and Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria, and Ouémé Department in the southeast of the Republic of Benin, who speak the Gun language. The Ogu accoun ...
people who migrated from
Badagary and
Republic of Benin
Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Republic of Dahomey, Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burki ...
and whose main occupation is fishing.
Makoko is sometimes referred to as the "
Venice
Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The isla ...
of
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
" owing to its waterways. Its population is considered to be 85,840; however, the area was not officially counted as part of the 2007 census and the population has been estimated to be much higher.
In July 2012, the
Lagos State government Lagos State Government is the government of Lagos State, concerned with the administration of the state ministries.
The government consists of the executive, legislative and Judiciary.
The government is headed by the Governor who is the policy-maker ...
ordered that some of the stilts beyond the power-lines be brought down without proper notice. This led to the destruction of several stilts on the Iwaya/Makoko waterfront and many families were rendered homeless.
History
Established in the 19th century, much of Makoko rests in structures constructed on
stilts
Stilts are poles, posts or pillars that allow a person or structure to stand at a height above the ground.
In flood plains, and on beaches or unstable ground, buildings are often constructed on stilts to protect them from damage by water, wav ...
above
Lagos Lagoon
Lagos Lagoon is a lagoon found in the city of Lagos, Nigeria, the most populous city in Africa. The name ''Lagos'' means 'lakes' in Portuguese, therefore ''Lagos Lagoon'' is an example of a tautological place name. The lagoon lies between the ...
.
Makoko is a neighbouring community to Iwaya on the waterfront and Oko Baba.
The name Makoko is literally translated from Yoruba to be "Pick Akoko". In Yoruba tradition "Akoko" leaves are used to aid fertility and also used during Chieftancy coronation, present day Makoko had the leaf growing in abundance.
In July 2012, Lagos State government under the governorship of
Babatunde Fashola
Babatunde Raji Fashola ( yo, Bàbátúndé Rájí Fáṣọlá; born 28 June 1963) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician currently serving as the Federal Minister of Works and Housing of Nigeria. He served two terms as Governor of Lagos State f ...
ordered that the stilts on the Iwaya/Makoko waterfront be demolished and dozens of stilts were demolished within 72 hours of notice to the residents. Nearly 3,000 people lost their homes to the demolition exercise.
Tolu Ogunlesi
Tolu Ogunlesi (born 3 March 1982) is a Nigerian journalist, poet, photographer, fiction writer, and blogger. Ogunlesi was appointed to the role of special assistant on digital/new media by President Muhammadu Buhari on 18 February 2016.
"Inside Makoko: danger and ingenuity in the world's biggest floating slum"
''The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'', 23 February 2016.
Two months after the partial demolition, a Serac housing affiliate known as the Urban Spaces Innovation developed a regeneration plan for Makoko that would bring the community together with academics, non-profits, and international consultants. The plan was submitted to the Lagos State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning in January 2014.
Gallery
1962 Makoko map detail Lagos Nigeria txu-oclc-441966035-lagos-1962.jpg, Detail of map of Lagos, 1962, showing Makoko and Lagos Mainland
Lagos Mainland Local Government is a local government area in the Lagos Division of Lagos State, Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Repu ...
Makoko auf dem Wasser (5208472599).jpg
Makoko auf dem Wasser (5209071738).jpg
Makoko auf dem Wasser (5208471435).jpg
CEE-HOPE NIGERIA FOR WIKI LOVES WOMEN"S PROJECT IN NIGERIA 16.jpg, Makoko: A girl and her sister in a canoe
'The People of Makoko Community'.jpg, Boys paddling a canoe is a common view at Makoko
2010 Lagos Nigeria by Rainer Wozny 5342608955.jpg, Makoko, 2010
About to roast makoko.jpg, Fish caught at Makoko
After roasting makoko 3.jpg, Fish roasting in Makoko
After roasting makoko 4.jpg, After fish roasting in Makoko
Fish for sale at makoko Lagos.jpg
Fishers boat after work at makoko Lagos.jpg
Standby canoe.jpg
Women at work at makoko Lagos.jpg
Women at work at Makoko.jpg
Women at work at makoko Lagos 2.jpg
See also
*
Makoko Floating School
*
CEE HOPE
References
External links
* {{cite news , author=Iwan Baan , authorlink=Iwan Baan , date=26 May 2013 , title=School at Sea , work=The New York Times Magazine , url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/05/26/magazine/26look-lagos.htm(Photos of Makoko)
Lagos' floating slum Makoko - what's it like to live there?
Slums in Nigeria
Fishing communities in Nigeria
18th-century establishments in Lagos
Squats