‘No-man’s land’ comment: Bwala makes u-turn, says Lagos belongs to Yoruba people

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has walked back his controversial description of Lagos as a “no-man’s land,” stressing that his remarks were misunderstood and taken out of context.

Bwala made the statement during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, sparking heated reactions across social media platforms.

In a follow-up clarification shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Bwala affirmed that Lagos is historically and constitutionally Yoruba land. He added that the state’s identity has “never been in contention,” even though it stands as Nigeria’s economic and commercial hub that welcomes people from across the country and beyond.

“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 stated.

He likened Lagos to major global cities like New York, Paris, and London, saying it serves as a cosmopolitan centre while remaining deeply rooted in Yoruba heritage.

He explained that his argument was for increased federal investment in Lagos due to its economic importance, not because it is “no man’s land.”

“Such support is not because Lagos is ‘no man’s land,’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development,” he clarified.

Bwala’s initial comments on Arise TV had described Lagos as a “no-man’s land” and “the pride of Nigeria’s economy,” arguing that heavy federal investments in the state were justified given its role as Nigeria’s commercial centre.

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… The richest man in Africa is a northerner. His business is not in Kano, it’s in Lagos… If not because probably the majority of the people are Yoruba speaking, you will wonder whether Lagos indeed is from the South-West.”

He further compared Lagos with other global economic hubs, insisting that the concentration of federal projects in the state benefits the entire country.

“So the idea that you put more in Lagos than in other states or the federation should be put into a proper context.”

“Lagos is a no-man’s land. Lagos is the hub of Nigeria. Lagos is the pride of the country,” he had said.