Across the Third Mainland Bridge is the coast of Lagos where a community of 200,000 people lives on houses built on stilts along the lagoon called Makoko. Also referred to as the perfect nightmare, a slum in full view, spread out beneath the most travelled bridge in West Africa?s megalopolis; yet most Lagosians have perhaps never been to Makoko as doing so carries much risk.
Life expectancy in these squatter settlements is extremely low; under 40. According to NGO WaterAid, like an estimated 63 million others in Nigeria, residents here lack access to safe drinking water. Similarly to 111 million people in the country, many are exposed to poor sanitation. Fishing is the biggest industry in Makoko and residents are constantly exposed to the marshy waters that are teaming with mosquitos. This deadly combination can lead to cholera, malaria and many other deadly diseases. But a lack of local government funds to provide good infrastructure and healthcare means a staggering 97,000 children die each year in Nigeria from diarrhoea alone.
