Makoko | |
---|---|
Informal Settlement | |
Coordinates: - 250000) 6°29′44″N3°23′39″E / 6.49556°N 3.39417°E | |
Country | Nigeria |
State | Lagos State |
Slum | Lagos |
LGA | Lagos Mainland |
Settled | 19th century |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 85,000 - 250,000 |
Time zone | UTC+1 |
Makoko is an informal settlement across the 3rd Mainland Bridge located on the coast of mainland Lagos. 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 people who migrated from Badagary and Republic of Benin and whose main occupation is fishing.
Makoko is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of Africa" owing to its waterways. [1] 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. [2] In July 2012, the Lagos State government 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. [3]
Established in the 19th century, much of Makoko rests in structures constructed on stilts above Lagos Lagoon. [2] [4] Makoko is a neighbouring community to Iwaya on the waterfront and Oko Baba. [5]
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 Chieftaincy coronation, present day Makoko had the leaf growing in abundance.
In July 2012, Lagos State government under the governorship of Babatunde Fashola 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. [3] [6] [7] [8] 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. [8]
Lagos or Lagos City is the most populous city in Nigeria, with an estimated population of 21 million in 2015. Lagos is the most populous urban area in Africa. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 following the government's decision to move their capital to Abuja in the centre of the country. Lagos is a major African financial centre and is the economic hub of Lagos State and Nigeria at large. The city has a significant influence on commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion in Africa. Lagos is also among the top ten of the world's fastest-growing cities and urban areas. The megacity has the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. Due to the large urban population and port traffic volumes, Lagos is classified as a Medium-Port Megacity.
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The Akoko are a large Yoruba cultural sub-group in the Northeastern part of Yorubaland. The area spans from Ondo state to Edo state in southwest Nigeria. The Akokos as a subgroup make up 20.3% of the population of Ondo state. Out of the present 18 Local Government Councils it constitutes four; Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, Akoko South-East and Akoko South-West, as well as the Akoko Edo LGA of Edo State. The Adekunle Ajasin University, a state owned university with a capacity for about 20,000 tertiary education students and more than 50 departments in seven faculties is located in Akungba-Akoko. A state specialist hospital is situated at Ikare Akoko, while community general hospitals are located in Oka-Akoko and Ipe-Akoko.
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