On February 12, 2025, the National Football League (NFL) donated $100,000 to support Kai Cenat’s school project in Makoko, Lagos. The donation was part of the NFL Foundation’s Inspire Change Campaign, following a charity event in New Orleans involving Cenat and fellow content creator IShowSpeed. While this gesture is commendable, it exposes a recurring failure in Nigeria’s governance—where foreign donations and NGO-driven initiatives substitute for the government’s responsibilities.
Makoko, a densely populated waterfront slum, has long been the focus of various interventions, yet little has changed. Millions of dollars have flowed into the community through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private philanthropists. Still, Makoko remains a symbol of urban neglect, with its stilted homes, lack of basic infrastructure, and ongoing struggles between residents and the government over forced evictions. This neglect is not new—Makoko has existed as an illegal settlement for more than 150 years, with some records tracing its origins to 1860. Today, an estimated 200,000 people call it home, though no official census confirms the numbers. Their daily lives unfold on water, with few opportunities for escape and even fewer resources to rely upon.
This long-standing existence has made Makoko residents fiercely protective of their land, often resisting government attempts to displace them. One of the most brutal examples occurred on July 16, 2012, when the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development ordered residents to leave. Four days later, violence erupted as a group of armed men laid siege to the community, demolishing homes and displacing families. According to the Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), the attacks escalated five days after demolition teams set buildings on fire, and police officers allegedly fired live rounds. A resident lost his life in the chaos, forcing authorities to halt the operation. By the time the dust settled, nearly 30,000 people had been rendered homeless.
ALSO READ
Yet, despite these repeated cycles of destruction and neglect, little effort has been made to provide sustainable solutions. Instead, foreign goodwill and private charity continue to fill the gaps left by the government. Cenat, an American online streamer, laid the groundwork for his school project in 2024. He donated $3,000 and is actively documenting the progress, calling for local artisans to help complete the school. His transparency is refreshing, particularly in a country where many so-called interventions lack accountability. However, it is troubling that such a vital project—ensuring access to education for marginalized children—is being spearheaded by a foreign entertainer rather than the Nigerian government.
This over-reliance on charity and NGOs mirrors what investigative journalist David Hundeyin has recently described as the “NGO-ization” of African economies. In a recent critique, Hundeyin argued that the excessive presence of NGOs in sectors like technology, journalism, agriculture, education, and real estate has distorted economic priorities across Nigeria and Africa. He pointed out how many NGOs operate with foreign funding that often steers local development in directions that do not necessarily align with the country’s core needs. Rather than tackling systemic issues—such as mechanization in agriculture or infrastructural gaps in education—many NGOs follow the agendas set by foreign donors, sometimes at the expense of real, lasting solutions.
Hundeyin’s argument is that NGOs have become so dominant that they now shape economic aspirations, with many young Nigerians seeing NGO work as a primary career path rather than seeking to contribute to a productive economy. He has even suggested that most NGOs do not need to exist in their current form and should be subject to stricter oversight. While we do not advocate for their outright dismissal, as he does, we strongly believe that NGOs should complement government efforts, not replace them.
Makoko’s situation illustrates this problem. The government has repeatedly attempted to relocate residents, often under the pretext of urban renewal. However, these plans are met with resistance, as past experiences have shown that relocation schemes frequently displace people without providing viable alternatives. If the government were genuinely committed to improving Makoko, it would have long implemented structured interventions—proper resettlement plans, improved infrastructure, and policies that address the root causes of urban poverty.
Nigeria cannot continue to function as a nation where essential services depend on foreign goodwill. The NFL’s donation, though well-intentioned, is not a sustainable solution for Makoko’s educational needs. Nor should Cenat’s generosity be mistaken for systemic progress. The Nigerian government must take responsibility for the development of its people and stop treating NGOs and philanthropists as convenient substitutes for governance.
Until then, Makoko may remain trapped in this cycle—where interventions make headlines, but the people remain abandoned.
