Makoko Village

Today I had the extreme honor of visiting the fishing village of Makoko here in Lagos. The entire village is built over Lagos Lagoon with housing built on stilts and canoes for cars. Currently considered a slum, the village has existed for over a hundred years, and not much has changed in that time. Last year, Makoko made international news when the local government came in and knocked down dozens of houses, intending to destroy the village in an effort to clean up the Lagos waterfront. The residents put up a fight and most of the village survived. Most of the people living in Makoko were born here, and will spend their entire lives here.

We drive by the village on our way to and from the airport but I never expected to actually get to visit. We were invited to see their exciting, new floating school. The new school was designed with climate change in mind, and stays afloat upon 256 oil drums, not stilts, like the other structures in the community. The smart design also utilizes solar panels to provide some electricity to the school so that the children are able to continue working even when it's dark. Right now, the school is still waiting on furniture to be fully functional, and for now serves as a meeting place and community center.

New School

Classroom on the second floor

Toilet

View from the top, the open air design keeps it breezy and cool inside

During our visit, we were also invited to visit with the village Chief in his house. While the Chief didn't speak english, his brother, Noah, served as our translator and tour guide. Noah was a great host and very passionate about improving the education system within their community. He was happy to show us around his village, often welcoming us and repeating the phrase, "We Are One".

Truly a fascinating, unbelievable place.

I thought these were hammocks but now I think they're nets. I didn't see any hammocks...

Brave companions in our tippy canoe

Chief's house

I was terrified of falling into that water

Every pollutant you can imagine

Third Mainland Bridge, we take that bridge when we go to the airport

My pretty friend, Andi!

Making a net

Goods for sale

These pretty girls loved having their picture taken.

Avocado sales

The haze above the houses comes from the fish being smoked inside.

Estimated population is between 90,000 - 250,000

Looking toward Lagos Island

Looking toward Lagos mainland

CNN recently visited the village and compiled this short documentary as part of their Inside Africa series : Part 1  Part 2  Part 3