Living in Makoko
I am making this project because MAKOKO is a place of amazing contrasts coming together and the community's very existence is tentative, with the threat of being disassembled always looming. The transition between land and water is hopeless and the threat of sea level rise is very high. I have to make these photos because this special place will be gone someday soon!
Makoko is a slum and an isolated community located on the coast of Mainland Lagos, – the megacity of some 21 million people. Makoko is a marginalized community with half the population on water and half on land. It is believed that its first inhabitants settled here more than 100 years ago. Houses on the water are built from hardwood, supported by wood stilts driven deep into the waterbed.
Young people in Makoko do not have a proper education and unemployment is very high. They told me that Nigeria has forgotten them. Many complained that they have never been to school. Residents can be seen traveling by canoe or over a wooden bridge. No wonder the community is also referred to as the “world’s biggest floating slum.” The majority of the Makoko residents who live on water are the Egun people who relocated from Badagry and the Republic of Benin. Makoko is one of Africa's most unique inner-city slums.
Lack of sanitation is the BIG ISSUE – there are communal toilets, but they have to be
shared by about 15 households, and sewage, kitchen scraps, and all kinds of materials end up in the water under their homes. Makokos water is dangerous for people to drink and many of them live in darkness without any electricity.
The main economic activities are salt production, sand dredging, sawmills, firewood, and fishing. The chief of the village on land estimates that there are about 400,000 people living in Makoko. After being to Makoko I had nightmares for many nights. it is difficult to find a place with more challenging living conditions.
Currently, malaria, respiratory diseases, and malnutrition are endemic problems in Makoko. Life expectancy is 47 years!
Living in Makoko 1
A Two years old boy is sleeping outside their house in Makoko His mother is close by and keeping her eyes on him br
Living in Makoko 2
A woman is carrying a basket on her way to the market in Makoko br br
Living in Makoko 3
Young man is holding a huge turkey that he is raising br
Living in Makoko 4
Two secondary school children The one on the left wants to be a doctor and the one on the right wants to be a lawyer Two most important occupations in Nigeria br
Living in Makoko 5
A young man unemployed and tired about life of living in Makoko
Living in Makoko 6
Two boys are boxing under the supervision of a coach in Makoko br
Living in Makoko 7
Life in Makoko is not like any where else in the world
Living in Makoko 8
A young girl is selling fisk captured on the lagoon at Makoko br
Living in Makoko 9
A young woman is traveling to the other side of Makoko village to visit her friend br
Living in Makoko 10
The owner of this dog does not feed it well So this 10 years old boy took the dog Soso and started taking care of it and love it so much br
Living in Makoko 11
This young boy wants to be a professional soccer player He loves and admires Messi br
Living in Makoko
This is an aerial image of Makoko and about 500 000 people lives there
