Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has clarified his earlier comment describing Lagos State as a “no-man’s land.” He stressed that Lagos remains the cultural and historical homeland of the Yoruba people.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme, Bwala argued that the concentration of federal projects in Lagos should not be interpreted as favouritism. His remark, however, sparked swift controversy and widespread reactions.
Shortly afterwards, he issued a statement on his official social media handle, urging Nigerians not to misinterpret his words.
“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 wrote.
He explained that his comment was not aimed at denying Lagos’ Yoruba roots, but at highlighting its cosmopolitan nature and strategic role in Nigeria’s development.
“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 hub of our economy,” he said.
According to him, Lagos provides opportunities for all Nigerians regardless of origin, reflecting the nation’s diversity while remaining firmly rooted in Yoruba heritage.
He added that its unique role makes it essential for any administration to prioritise infrastructure investments.
“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. Any President who truly seeks to succeed must critically support Lagos, not because it is ‘no-man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development,” Bwala stated.
Earlier, during a television interview, he had said: “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.”
