By Gboyega Akosile
The recent developments in Makoko, Lagos, have thrust Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu into a defining test of leadership, highlighting the complexities of governing a city where resilience coexists with urban neglect.
Makoko, a decades-old waterfront settlement, reflects the contradictions of Nigeria’s urban landscape—vibrant culture amid environmental risks, sanitation challenges, and public health concerns. Experts say the settlement’s conditions affect not only its residents but also the wider Lagos ecosystem, underlining the urgency for decisive governance.
Leadership, observers note, is measured not in moments of applause but in times of discomfort—when decisions are unpopular, emotions run high, and long-term outcomes must outweigh immediate convenience. The Makoko challenge exemplifies such a moment.
Sanwo-Olu joins a lineage of global leaders who have faced similarly difficult choices. Historical examples include former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 1999 enforcement of the retirement of 93 senior military officers to strengthen democracy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-border policy during the 2015 refugee crisis, and President Bola Tinubu’s bold removal of the fuel subsidy shortly after his inauguration.
Sanwo-Olu’s governance style has been marked by calm, strategic decision-making and measured responses under pressure. Lagosians witnessed this during the COVID-19 pandemic, when coordinated public health measures balanced safety with economic continuity, and during the EndSARS protests, which required restraint and transparent communication to manage youth unrest and public grievances.
Applying this approach to Makoko, analysts argue that inaction is no longer viable. The settlement faces environmental degradation, safety hazards, and urban disorder, and delaying intervention would exacerbate these problems for future generations.
Any meaningful intervention will likely be controversial and provoke criticism. Yet, leadership, experts say, is about prioritizing the long-term interests of society while ensuring humane, inclusive solutions for affected communities.
If managed effectively, the Makoko challenge could catalyze urban renewal, structured resettlement, environmental restoration, and inclusive development, signaling Lagos’ readiness to tackle its most complex urban issues.
Observers conclude that Sanwo-Olu’s handling of Makoko is a critical moment in his tenure, demonstrating the difficult but necessary choices that define transformative leadership. His actions could set a precedent for how Lagos confronts urban challenges and cement his place in the city’s history.
