Daniel Bwala has retracted his “no-man’s land” remark, affirming Lagos belongs to the Yoruba while maintaining its status as Nigeria’s commercial hub.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has backtracked on his description of Lagos as a “no-man’s land,” clarifying that the state historically and constitutionally belongs to the Yoruba people.
Bwala stirred controversy during an appearance on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme on Wednesday, where he argued that federal investments in Lagos should be viewed as strategic support for Nigeria’s commercial hub. He had said, “Lagos State is a no-man’s land. Lagos is the hub of Nigeria. Lagos is the pride of the country.”
Facing backlash, Bwala later took to his official X handle to clarify his position. “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 remarks were misinterpreted, stressing that Lagos, like New York, Paris, or London, is both a cosmopolitan hub and the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy. He added, “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.”