While the commune often gets foreign media and travel influencer attention, successive Lagos State governments have considered it an eyesore and effected several rounds of demolitions including in 2005, 2012 and January 2026 citing safety violations. 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. 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. == Gallery ==