Presidential aide Daniel Bwala explains why Lagos is Nigeria’s economic hub, clarifies his “no-man’s land” remark, and urges more federal investment.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Mr. Daniel Bwala, has argued that Lagos State occupies a position unlike any other in Nigeria’s social and economic structure.
He maintained that its strategic importance goes far beyond regional politics and therefore requires massive federal investment in infrastructure, security, and development.
During an interview on Arise Television, Bwala explained that Lagos is the heartbeat of the Nigerian economy, hosting the country’s busiest seaports, airports, and corporate headquarters.
He emphasized that it is not only a state for its indigenes but a commercial centre that accommodates people from every ethnic and cultural background in Nigeria.
Drawing comparisons, he likened Lagos to major global cities such as New York, London, and Paris — cosmopolitan hubs that serve both their local communities and their nations at large.
“Lagos is Nigeria’s pride. It is the hub through which most of our economy runs. If Lagos sneezes, the entire country catches cold,” Bwala said.
To further highlight its uniqueness, Bwala pointed to the results of the last general election, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, himself from the South-West, did not win Lagos State.
According to him, this reflects the cosmopolitan and politically diverse character of Lagos.
He also noted that the wealthiest man in Africa, a northerner, built his empire in Lagos, not in Kano.
Similarly, many of Nigeria’s top business elites, irrespective of ethnicity, have their headquarters and major investments in the state.
“This shows that Lagos offers opportunities for all Nigerians to thrive. It is a place where diversity meets progress,” he remarked.
Bwala’s choice of words in describing Lagos as “a no-man’s land” quickly generated heated reactions online.
Critics accused him of attempting to deny the Yoruba people’s cultural ownership of Lagos. Social media was flooded with arguments from both sides, some defending Lagos’ openness and others fiercely insisting on its Yoruba identity.
In response to the controversy, Bwala issued a clarification on X (formerly Twitter). He stressed that his words were taken out of context.
According to him, there is no dispute that Lagos historically, culturally, and constitutionally belongs to the Yoruba people. “The Yoruba identity of Lagos is not in question. That is settled and beyond dispute,” he affirmed.
What he had meant, he explained, was that Lagos is a city that symbolizes Nigeria’s diversity while remaining rooted in Yoruba heritage. It is a place where every Nigerian can find opportunities to succeed, and in that sense, it feels open to all.
“Don’t misinterpret what I said in my interview of 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.
“What I emphasized 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 center 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.
“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.”