Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has withdrawn his controversial remark describing Lagos as a “no-man’s land.” The comment, made during an interview on Arise Television, had sparked widespread criticism.
In a statement on his X handle, Bwala clarified that Lagos is historically, culturally, and constitutionally the land of the Yoruba people, stressing that its identity has “never been in contention.” He emphasized that while Lagos remains Nigeria’s foremost commercial hub and a cosmopolitan city, its Yoruba heritage is settled and indisputable.
Bwala compared Lagos to global economic centres like New York, Paris, and London, noting that the city serves a dual role as both Nigeria’s economic heartbeat and a home to citizens from all regions. According to him, Lagos provides opportunities for all Nigerians to thrive, while still retaining its Yoruba foundation.
He argued that heavy federal investments in Lagos, reportedly worth N3.9 trillion in two years, are not favoritism but a necessity to sustain the state’s economic and social responsibilities. Bwala concluded that any president must deliberately invest in Lagos, not because it is “no-man’s land,” but because it is the hub of Nigeria’s growth.
