Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has retracted his controversial remark describing Lagos as a “no-man’s land.” The comment, made during a Wednesday interview on Arise Television, sparked significant backlash.
In a statement posted on his official X handle, Bwala clarified that Lagos is, in fact, historically and constitutionally a Yoruba homeland. He expressed regret that his words had been misinterpreted, stressing that the identity of Lagos has “never been in contention.”
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.”
Bwala further explained that while Lagos is a critical economic hub for Nigeria, it should not be mistaken for a “no-man’s land.” He compared Lagos to global cities like New York, Paris, and London, which, despite being commercial powerhouses, retain strong cultural identities.
“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,” he added. “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.”
Bwala also reiterated that any president hoping to succeed must make deliberate investments in Lagos to support the substantial economic and social responsibilities the city shoulders on behalf of the country. He added, “Such support is not because Lagos is ‘no-man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development.”
The controversy began during Bwala’s appearance on the Daybreak programme, where he initially referred to Lagos as a “no-man’s land” and described it as “the pride of Nigeria’s economy.” He argued that the concentration of federal projects in Lagos should be seen not as favouritism but as strategic investment in the nation’s commercial hub.
He pointed out, “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.”
Bwala had also noted that the richest man in Africa, a northerner, has his business in Lagos, underscoring the city’s inclusivity. He continued, “Almost every rich man that you know in Nigeria has a business undertaking in Lagos, and the Nigerian people are represented in Lagos.”
Despite the controversy, Bwala stood by his argument that the N3.9 trillion worth of federal projects allocated to Lagos over two years were justified.
“Lagos is the hub of Nigeria. Lagos is the pride of the country,” he said.
