Bwala Retracts “No-Man’s Land” Remark, Affirms Lagos as Yoruba Homeland

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has backtracked on his earlier description of Lagos as “no-man’s land,” clarifying that the state rightfully belongs to the Yoruba people.

Bwala had sparked controversy during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, September 3, where he described Lagos as Nigeria’s economic pride and referred to it as “a no-man’s land.” His remarks quickly drew sharp criticism, forcing him to issue a clarification via his official X account.

In his statement, Bwala insisted that his words were misinterpreted and stressed that Lagos’ ownership “has never been in dispute.” He affirmed that historically, culturally, and constitutionally, the state is the homeland of the Yoruba people.

“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,” he wrote.

Bwala explained that his original argument was about Lagos’ unique economic position, comparing it to global cities like New York, Paris, and London. He described the state as a cosmopolitan hub that offers opportunities to all Nigerians while remaining firmly rooted in Yoruba heritage.

“My point was the special role Lagos plays as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, carrying enormous economic and social responsibilities. Any serious government must, therefore, continue to make significant investments in its infrastructure. This is not because Lagos is ‘no-man’s land’ but because it is the heartbeat of the nation’s development,” he clarified.

According to him, sustained federal investment in Lagos is essential, not as a matter of favoritism but as a strategic necessity to keep the city functioning as the country’s economic lifeline.