Some call Makoko the `` Venice of Africa '' . But while the intricate waterways may replicate the layout of the picturesque Italian city , living conditions could hardly be more contrasting . Makeshift houses with corrugated iron roofs balance precariously atop stilts . Down below , narrow wooden boats act as a form of aquatic taxi ferrying goods and people around the bustling community . Nobody knows the exact population of this slum district of Lagos but it is estimated to be as high as 100,000 . What 's sure is that few tourists will come here to take a romantic gondola trip beneath the night sky , moonlight bouncing off the water onto informal shacks . There is little by the way of a sewer system meaning all sorts of pungent smells are sure to puncture the nostrils . On top of that , law enforcement agencies rarely enter the slum with security left to groups of young men known locally as the `` Area Boys . '' A lens on home . For photographer Sulayman Afose , however , the muddy waters of Makoko have always been home . The aspiring 24-year-old was born , raised and continues to live in this chaotic floating district . As such , it is one of the subjects he feels most comfortable turning his ever more popular lens on . `` I started my photography here in Makoko , '' Afose told CNN when we meet at the plush surrounds of the 2014 Lagos Photo Festival . `` It 's really inspiring ... . I 've been able to get a lot of inspiration in terms of seeing a lot of things in my community , '' he added . Afose 's career has really begun to take off in recent years . After learning his craft in workshops put on by the African Artists Foundation he went on to study photojournalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism . He 's since had photos exhibited at various national arts and photography festivals as well as appearing in numerous international magazines and publications . International collaboration . Afose has even worked alongside the respected Spanish photographer Cristina De Middel . `` ( I am ) happy to see some of my work published , '' he said . `` And to see the fact of my name written on the pictures is something very great . '' Yet despite the international recognition , its the daily hustle and bustle of Makoko that continues to inspire Afose . He explains that his knowledge of the local customs , attitudes and the people who live there gives him an edge over those who may come from outside to document life in the community . `` To tell the story with this ( holding up a camera ) , you have to know who this guy is ( pointing to a man in a photograph ) . '' Just by looking at him , `` is he happy or is he not happy ? You have to try to know what it is all about . `` You ca n't just pick up your camera and start shooting , '' he said . Here and now . Then there 's the skill vital for any photojournalist to develop , the handy knack of being in the right place at the right time . Afose was rapidly on the spot when a fire that tore through part of Makoko in 2013 . The scenes were horrific but the images Afose captured told the story and brought some of the harsh realities of life in the slum to the outside world . They appeared in numerous publications in print and online . `` The fire was caused by a generator and it burned a lot of houses in the community , '' Afose explained . `` I had the opportunity to get there at the right time and try document what the scene was all about , what caused the scene ( and ) what caused the fire outbreak , '' he added . It is likely the Makoko fire would n't have garnered as much attention in the national and international press without Afose 's timely and grabbing images . The experience has made him even more aware of the importance of having local people tell the story of the community there . So much so that it has inspired him on to his next challenge . `` I want to go further , I want to know more , '' he said . When pushed on what this means , he added , `` you know , maybe having a university degree ( so I can ) come back to the community and teach people ... to become what I am today . '' Maybe then the outside world will be able to appreciate even more of life in Makoko through the sharp-shooting eyes of its residents .
Photographer Sulayman Afose specializes in capturing life in the Makoko neighborhood of Lagos . The 24-year-old was born , raised and still lives in the floating slum . Afose says this gives him an edge over photographers who come to document the area from elsewhere .