The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has clarified his controversial description of Lagos as a “no-man’s land,” insisting the state remains the cultural and historical homeland of the Yoruba people.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme on Wednesday, Bwala explained that his comment had been misinterpreted and was never meant to deny Lagos’ Yoruba identity.
In a statement later posted on his official Twitter handle, the presidential aide emphasized:
“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.”
According to him, the intent of his earlier remark was to underline Lagos’ cosmopolitan character and strategic role in Nigeria’s growth — likening the city to New York, Paris, or London, where diversity thrives while local heritage remains intact.
Bwala added that Lagos offers equal opportunities to Nigerians from all backgrounds, but stressed that its Yoruba roots are undeniable.
“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,” he stated.
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His clarification comes after backlash trailed his earlier television remark, where he had suggested Lagos was “a no-man’s land” due to its cosmopolitan nature and diverse political leanings.
