The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has retracted his earlier comment referring to Lagos as “no-man’s land.”
During an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, September 3, Bwala had described Lagos State as “a no-man’s land” and also called it the pride of Nigeria’s economy.
He explained that the heavy presence of federal projects in Lagos should not be mistaken for favoritism but rather seen as a strategic investment in the nation’s commercial capital.
The remark sparked criticism, prompting Bwala to clarify his stance through his official X account.
According to him, his comment was misunderstood. He stressed that the ownership of Lagos has “never been in contention” and should not be misrepresented, while maintaining that the state stands as Nigeria’s leading commercial hub.
He said …
“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.”
Explaining his stance further, Bwala compared Lagos to global economic powerhouses like New York, Paris, and London, stressing that the city serves a dual role as Nigeria’s commercial heartbeat and a cosmopolitan hub open to citizens from every part of the country.
His words …
“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.”
According to Bwala, his central point during the television appearance was that any president seeking success must deliberately invest in Lagos, given the enormous social and economic responsibilities the state carries on behalf of Nigeria.
He clarified …
“Such support is not because Lagos is ‘no man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development.”
