Slums of Makoko, Nigeria

The most extreme settlement in Nigeria is the Makoko slum. Many parts of it are known under the unofficial name, the Black Venice. Makoko is one of the areas of Lagos, it borders with the most advanced and modern districts of the city with banks and office centers. Black Venice consists of few streets built just over the water. People here live in wooden huts. Just an appearance of these structures could plunge into horror. It seems that dilapidated wooden houses may collapse into the water at any time.

Once upon a time, this place was a thriving fishing village supplying the seafood to the whole city. Over time, the water off the coast became heavily polluted. Today, water with a sharp odor is not suitable for fishing. According to statistics, an average of 6 to 10 people live in each of the floating houses. According to official figures, the population of Makoko area is about 150 000 people, and according to unofficial data it is 100 000 more.

Basically, poor families live there. Migrant workers flock there from all parts of West Africa. The main means of transportation for locals are wooden boats; they are in each family. Several years ago, the Government of Nigeria expressed concerns about the well-being of the area. A first floating school in the history of the village was built there. In the near future, the government intends to arrange the resettlement of indigenous people to other, cleaner and more comfortable areas of the capital and its environs. Next - Coober Pedy