After Mass Demolitions That Left Thousands Homeless, Lagos Govt Unveils N7bn Jetty, Housing Scheme in Oworonshoki
Barely months after widespread demolitions left thousands of residents homeless at the Oworonshoki waterfront, the Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to construct a N7 billion jetty and develop new housing schemes in the area, sparking fresh controversy over the fate of displaced residents.
The disclosure was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, during an interaction with journalists in Lagos on Friday. According to him, the state government has secured approval to build a jetty at the Oworonshoki waterfront and also develop housing projects as part of a broader urban regeneration drive.
Oworonshoki community in Kosofe Local Government Area witnessed large-scale demolitions in the latter months of 2025, an exercise the government said was aimed at urban renewal. However, the operation reportedly rendered thousands of people homeless, including elderly retirees who allegedly invested their life savings in building homes in the area. The demolitions were also dogged by allegations that they were carried out without notice, compensation, and in violation of a court order said to have halted the exercise.
Reacting to the situation, Bush-Alebiosu, who hails from Kosofe Local Government, said the demolitions were not carried out by his ministry, but he expressed deep sympathy for affected residents.
“It’s rather unfortunate that it’s my LG, so my case is very peculiar. My mother grew up here; my house is in Kosofe, so it’s more of a hometown for me. I feel the pain of the people on one side because they have always been supportive of me,” he said.
The commissioner explained that while he had made efforts to reach out and assist some of the victims, long-term solutions lay in infrastructure-driven development rather than limited poverty alleviation schemes.
“Assisting the vulnerable through poverty alleviation schemes often has limitations, unlike investing in social projects with deep economic value, such as infrastructure,” he noted.
Highlighting the economic potential of the waterfront, Bush-Alebiosu said the proposed jetty would serve multiple local governments within his federal constituency.
“On the other side, we have water running through there, running through the three local governments in my federal constituency. We have the approval for a jetty. I think it’s about N7bn coming there. We are in discussion with Mr Governor. He has asked for a few things just to make sure the decision is absolutely right,” he added.
He further disclosed that approvals had also been granted for housing developments in Oworonshoki, describing the community as strategically located.
“Towards Oworonshoki, we have approvals to set up a housing scheme. It’s important to know that Oworonshoki is specially located, and there’s no reason why we can’t pull back the development happening on the island towards Oworonshoki,” Bush-Alebiosu said.
Despite these assurances, many displaced residents continue to demand accountability, compensation, and clarity on whether the new developments will accommodate those whose homes were demolished.