William Kayode
Hundreds of protesters on Friday marched through the streets of Lagos to express frustration over worsening hunger and the ongoing demolition of buildings in several communities across the state.
The demonstrators, led by the Take It Back Movement in collaboration with several civil society organisations, began their procession from Ikeja Bridge around 10:00 a.m., after assembling as early as 7:30 a.m. They moved toward Alausa, the seat of the Lagos State Government, where they demanded an audience with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu or a representative of his administration.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop the Demolitions,” “End Hunger Now,” and “Government Should Protect the Poor,” the protesters accused the state government of pursuing “anti-poor policies.” They alleged that recent demolition exercises in Oworonshoki, Ajao Estate, and Abule-Egba were carried out without adequate notice or provision of alternative housing for displaced residents.
According to eyewitnesses, security personnel, including police officers and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) operatives, were deployed along major routes to ensure order and prevent disruptions as the protesters advanced toward the State Secretariat.
The demonstration comes amid growing economic hardship across Nigeria, with food prices and essential commodities soaring to record highs. In Lagos, often considered the country’s commercial hub, residents have been hit particularly hard by rising costs of living, transportation, and housing.
Many of the protesters blamed recent government policies — including the removal of fuel subsidies and an unstable exchange rate — for deepening poverty. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation in Nigeria has surged above 34%, with food inflation exceeding 40%, leaving millions struggling to afford basic meals.
Civil society groups say the combination of hunger, unemployment, and housing insecurity has created a humanitarian crisis in low-income neighbourhoods. “You can’t ask people to pay rent or feed their children when you demolish their homes without alternatives,” one protester told journalists during the march.
In recent months, the Lagos State Government has intensified demolition exercises in areas it described as “illegal developments” or “structures on drainage channels and right-of-way.” While authorities insist the actions are part of an urban renewal and flood prevention campaign, critics say the process lacks transparency and compassion.
In Oworonshoki, a densely populated waterfront community, hundreds of families were reportedly displaced after their homes were demolished in early October. Human rights advocates argue that the exercise contravenes both national and international standards for eviction, which require prior notice, consultation, and resettlement plans.
The Take It Back Movement and partner organisations have demanded that the state suspend further demolitions and prioritise dialogue with affected communities.
As of the time of filing this report, the protesters had converged at the State Secretariat complex in Alausa, chanting solidarity songs and demanding immediate government intervention to address hunger and homelessness.
The Lagos State Government has yet to issue an official response to the protest. However, officials have in the past maintained that their urban renewal projects aim to make Lagos a more sustainable and flood-resilient city.
Despite this, activists warn that the failure to cushion the effects of displacement and economic hardship could trigger more demonstrations in the coming weeks.