Bwala Retracts ‘No-Man’s Land’ Remark, Affirms Lagos As Yoruba Homeland.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has retracted his controversial statement describing Lagos as a “no-man’s land,” clarifying that the state is unequivocally the historical and cultural homeland of the Yoruba people. The clarification, posted on his official X account on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, followed widespread backlash after his appearance on Arise Television’s Daybreak programme earlier that day.
Bwala’s initial comment, which suggested Lagos was a “no-man’s land” due to its cosmopolitan nature, sparked outrage on social media, with critics arguing it undermined the indigenous Yoruba identity of the state. Addressing the controversy, Bwala stated, “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 stressed that his remarks were misinterpreted and were not intended to question Lagos’s heritage.
The presidential aide explained that his comments aimed to highlight Lagos’s role as Nigeria’s commercial hub, likening it to global cities like New York, Paris, and London. “What I emphasised was the special place Lagos occupies in Nigeria and indeed West Africa — a city that serves as the commercial nerve centre of our economy,” Bwala said. He noted that Lagos provides a level playing field for all Nigerians, regardless of origin, while remaining firmly rooted in Yoruba heritage.
Bwala defended the reported N3.9 trillion in federal projects allocated to Lagos over the past two years, arguing that such investments are justified given the state’s critical economic role. “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 clarified. He cited major projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Lekki Deep Sea Port as examples of strategic investments benefiting the entire nation.
The “no-man’s land” phrase has long been a sensitive topic in Nigeria, often sparking debates about Lagos’s indigenous Awori and Yoruba identity versus its inclusive, pan-Nigerian character. Bwala’s swift retraction and emphasis on Lagos’s Yoruba roots aim to quell tensions and reaffirm the state’s cultural significance while underscoring its economic importance. His clarification has been welcomed by many as a step towards fostering unity and respecting Nigeria’s diverse heritage.