I visited the Makoko Floating Slum in Makoko Community, and I was surprised by the situation of the people living there. There is no amount of words that can depict the life these people are living. This is one of Africa’s largest slums!
Makoko, situated along the mainland coast of Lagos, is categorized as an “informal” settlement. Approximately one-third of its territory comprises structures like buildings, huts, and shacks built on stilts above the shallow waters of the Bay of Lagos, earning it the nickname “Venice of Africa.”
Though an exact population count is challenging, it is estimated to range from tens of thousands to 250,000.
Founded in the early 1800s, Makoko has a rich history originating from fishermen who migrated from neighbouring Togo and the Republic of Benin. Over the past century, the community has persevered through various challenges, including cultural, political, and environmental issues.
In 2012, tensions with the local government resulted in the displacement of around 3,000 residents and the unfortunate death of one individual. While the situation has stabilized since then, residents remain cautious and vigilant.
These people have no contact with the dry land; everything is by water. They live in the slum, their houses above the water. They live normally, and the water is not a challenge.
You could see little kids in their canoes trying to reach a particular place. There is no veranda to play on, they just come out of their huts and sit inside the canoes. Literally, everyone can use the canoe – the old ones, the kids, pregnant women, youths, and others.
Many questions start to come to my mind, how do they defecate? I asked some people in this community some questions but more importantly, I was scared and could not even bother about a lot of things but just to go back to where we took off. Makoko is a small but complex community.
It leads to the Third Mainland Bridge. Everything about this place is surprising.
Makoko: Media
As fun and educational as this is, do not forget to #TakeCareofYourElders. No one should live the rest of their life miserable. Through History Castle Media, we are using tourism to create awareness for the well-being of the elderly across the country.
This article will be updated in the future with a simple guide to visiting this community and, most importantly, the latest developments.
