Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has stirred conversation by describing Lagos State as a “no-man’s land,” emphasizing its diverse and inclusive nature.
Speaking on the heels of a report highlighting ₦2.9 trillion spent on Lagos-based projects, Bwala argued that the state’s identity transcends regional boundaries. He pointed to President Tinubu’s loss in Lagos during the last election despite being a native as evidence of the state’s political and cultural plurality.
“Lagos is a no-man’s land,” Bwala stated. “The president, who hails from the Southwest, didn’t win Lagos. That alone shows how cosmopolitan the state is.”
He further noted that Nigeria’s wealthiest individuals, including Aliko Dangote, a Northerner, have chosen Lagos as the base for their business empires. “Almost every rich Nigerian has business interests in Lagos,” he added, underscoring the city’s role as a national economic magnet.
Bwala concluded by highlighting the state’s multicultural makeup: “If not for the Yoruba-speaking majority, you might question whether Lagos truly belongs to the Southwest.”
This statement reignites ongoing debates about Lagos’s identity, ownership, and its role as a melting pot for all Nigerians.
