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Residents look on during demolition of houses in Makoko, a floating slum in Lagos, on January 9, 2026. Authorities have demolished hundreds of wooden shacks in Makoko, Africa’s largest and most iconic floating slum, which is built on stilts above the lagoon in the heart of Lagos. The operation is part of an ongoing campaign to remove what officials describe as illegal structures and reclaim waterfront land for modern real-estate developments.

Residents look on during demolition of houses in Makoko, a floating slum in Lagos, on January 9, 2026.
Authorities have demolished hundreds of wooden shacks in Makoko, Africa’s largest and most iconic floating slum, which is built on stilts above the lagoon in the heart of Lagos. The operation is part of an ongoing campaign to remove what officials describe as illegal structures and reclaim waterfront land for modern real-estate developments.

Residents look on during demolition of houses in Makoko, a floating slum in Lagos, on January 9, 2026.
Authorities have demolished hundreds of wooden shacks in Makoko, Africa’s largest and most iconic floating slum, which is built on stilts above the lagoon in the heart of Lagos. The operation is part of an ongoing campaign to remove what officials describe as illegal structures and reclaim waterfront land for modern real-estate developments.