Updated: Lagos Belongs to Yoruba, Bwala Backtracks on State’s “No Man’s Land” Status

Mr. Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has clarified his previous comments where he referred to Lagos as a “no man’s land.”

In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, Bwala explained that his remarks were misunderstood.

Bwala emphasized that Lagos is not only Nigeria’s commercial hub but also a cosmopolitan centre that welcomes people from all over the country.

He compared the city’s role as the “commercial nerve centre” to major global cities like New York, Paris, or London.

He also reiterated that Lagos provides a level playing field for Nigerians to succeed, which, he argued, highlights the need for significant infrastructure investment in the state.

“What I emphasized 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,” he said.

Bwala highlighted Lagos’ ability to provide a level playing field for Nigerians to thrive, regardless of origin.

Bwala’s central argument is that any president seeking success must invest heavily in Lagos due to its enormous social and economic responsibilities.

“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 explained.

He likened Lagos to global economic powerhouses, emphasizing the need for infrastructure development.

Bwala acknowledged that Lagos State belongs to the Yoruba people historically, culturally, and constitutionally.

“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,” he stated.

He emphasized that his earlier comment was not intended to erase Lagos’ indigenous identity.

Persecondnews reported that Bwala had earlier defended the N3.9 trillion worth of federal projects allocated to Lagos in the past two years, saying it’s a strategic investment in the nation’s primary economic engine.

“Whatever Lagos benefits, the country benefits,” he noted, drawing comparisons with global economic centres like London.

Bwala maintained that such investments are necessary to sustain Lagos’ economic and social responsibilities.