The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has walked back on his earlier remarks in which he controversially described Lagos State as “no-man’s land.”
Bwala made the initial statement during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, September 3, where he noted that Lagos should be considered “no-man’s land” because of its unique role as the commercial pride of Nigeria and home to heavy federal presence. According to him, the vast concentration of federal investments and infrastructure in Lagos was not an act of favoritism toward the state but a strategic national decision that underlines Lagos’ role as the country’s economic powerhouse.
However, the comment immediately triggered backlash from various quarters, especially among those who felt his description undermined the cultural and historical identity of Lagos as part of Yoruba land. In response, Bwala quickly took to his official X account to clarify his position, emphasizing that his words were misinterpreted.
According to him, the ownership of Lagos has never been in doubt and should not be twisted out of context. He insisted that culturally, historically, and constitutionally, Lagos belongs to the Yoruba people. He added that his remarks were meant to highlight Lagos’ dual role as both a Yoruba homeland and a cosmopolitan hub that embraces Nigerians from every corner of the country.
Bwala wrote …
“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.”
Expanding further on his clarification, he compared Lagos to global cities such as New York, Paris, and London, explaining that just like these world-class cities serve as commercial centers while belonging to specific nations, Lagos similarly serves as Nigeria’s commercial heartbeat while remaining firmly Yoruba in identity.
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.”
He went on to argue that any president serious about Nigeria’s development must deliberately invest in Lagos, given the enormous economic and social responsibilities the state shoulders on behalf of the entire federation. He reiterated that such investments are not because Lagos is “no man’s land” but because of its unique and indispensable role in sustaining the nation’s growth.
Bwala clarified …
“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. Such support is not because Lagos is ‘no man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development.”
His statement has since continued to generate reactions, with many appreciating his clarification while others insist that public figures must carefully choose their words on sensitive cultural and political issues, especially concerning Lagos, a city with both deep-rooted heritage and a global outlook.