Bwala retracts ‘Lagos no-man’s land’ remark, says it belongs to Yoruba
By Jeffrey Agbo
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has walked back his earlier statement describing Lagos as a “no-man’s land,” a remark that drew intense criticism after his appearance on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme on Wednesday.
In a clarification posted on his official X handle, the lawyer acknowledged that Lagos is historically and constitutionally the land of the Yoruba people and insisted that his words were misunderstood.
“Don’t misinterpret what I said in my interview this morning. Culturally, historically, and constitutionally, Lagos belongs to the Yoruba people, and that has never been in contention. The unique identity of Lagos as a Yoruba homeland is settled and beyond dispute,” Bwala wrote.
He explained that his intention was not to question the heritage of Lagos but to highlight its strategic economic role. Comparing Lagos to global powerhouses such as New York, Paris, and London, he noted that the city remains both Nigeria’s commercial hub and a cosmopolitan centre that embraces all citizens.
“What I emphasised was the special place Lagos occupies in Nigeria and indeed West Africa, a city that, much like New York, Paris, or London, serves as the commercial nerve centre of our economy.
“Lagos provides every Nigerian, regardless of origin, a level playing field to thrive, and in this sense, it mirrors the diversity of our nation while remaining firmly rooted in Yoruba heritage.
“My argument was, therefore, and justifiably so, for massive investments in infrastructure to sustain the economic and social responsibilities Lagos has shouldered on behalf of Nigeria,” he said.
Bwala stressed that his central point was the need for successive governments to commit significant resources to Lagos, not because it is “no man’s land,” but due to the crucial role it plays in national growth.
“Such support is not because Lagos is ‘no man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development,” he clarified.
During his earlier television appearance, Bwala had argued that Lagos’s cosmopolitan nature makes it unique.
“Let me tell you why Lagos State is different. Lagos State is a no-man’s land. In the last election, the President who comes from the South-West did not win Lagos. That tells you the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State.
“The richest man in Africa is a northerner. His business is not in Kano, it’s in Lagos. Almost every rich man that you know in Nigeria has a business undertaking in Lagos, and the Nigerian people are represented in Lagos.
“If not, because probably the majority of the people are Yoruba speaking, you will wonder whether Lagos indeed is from the South-West,” he had said.
The presidential aide further defended the concentration of federal projects worth N3.9 trillion in Lagos within two years, insisting that such investments are justified.
“So the idea that you put more in Lagos than in other states or the federation should be put into a proper context. Lagos is a no-man’s land. Lagos is the hub of Nigeria. Lagos is the pride of the country,” Bwala added during the broadcast.
He compared the city to London, where most investments are concentrated compared to other regions, arguing that “whatever Lagos benefits, the country benefits.”
