Children Miss Immunisation as Makoko Demolition Renders Nursing Mothers Homeless
Several nursing mothers and their babies have been rendered homeless following the demolition of hundreds of wooden shacks in Makoko, Lagos State, an operation carried out by agents of the Lagos State Government. The exercise has displaced families living in the waterfront community, forcing many to seek refuge on canoes and makeshift platforms on the lagoon.
Makoko, often described as Africa’s largest floating slum, is home to thousands of low-income families who depend on fishing and petty trading for survival. Since the demolition began weeks ago, affected residents say they have been left without shelter, food security, or access to basic healthcare services.
Health workers and community leaders have raised the alarm that dozens of infants and young children have missed routine immunisation schedules as a result of the displacement. With families constantly on the move and without stable access to primary healthcare centres, children are now at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, measles, tuberculosis, and whooping cough.
A nursing mother, who spoke while cradling her infant in a canoe, said her baby had not received scheduled vaccines since their home was pulled down. “We don’t even know where to sleep. The clinic we used to go to is far, and we have no money for transport,” she lamented.
Public health experts warn that interruptions in immunisation, especially in densely populated communities like Makoko, could trigger outbreaks of infectious diseases. They also expressed concern over rising cases of hunger and malnutrition among displaced children, noting that poor nutrition further weakens immunity.
“The combination of homelessness, missed immunisation, unsafe water, and poor sanitation is extremely dangerous for children under five,” a healthcare worker familiar with the area said. “We are sitting on a public health time bomb if urgent intervention is not made.”
Residents accused the government of carrying out the demolition without adequate notice, resettlement plans, or provision of temporary shelters, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children.
Human rights advocates have also condemned the exercise, calling on the Lagos State Government to halt further demolitions and provide immediate humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, clean water, and access to healthcare services for displaced families.
As the rainy season intensifies, fears are growing that the situation could worsen, exposing already vulnerable children to waterborne diseases, respiratory infections, and preventable deaths.
Despite repeated appeals, affected residents say no concrete relief or resettlement plan has been communicated to them, leaving many families stranded
