Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, stirred up a conversation during an appearance on Arise Television, describing Lagos as a “no man’s land.” His comments came while he was discussing the state’s infrastructural development and its political landscape during the 2023 presidential election.
Bwala pointed to the cosmopolitan character of Lagos as a significant factor in the electoral outcome, suggesting it contributed to President Tinubu’s loss in the state. He highlighted that a diverse population, including many prominent Nigerian business figures, considers Lagos their business hub.
“The reason why Lagos is a no man’s land,” Bwala explained, “in the last election, President Tinubu did not win Lagos due to the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State.”
He continued by noting the presence of wealthy individuals and their business ventures in Lagos, citing that the richest man in Africa, a Northerner, has his primary business operations in the city rather than his home state. This, Bwala argued, demonstrates the state’s unique and inclusive nature.
“Every rich man in Nigeria has their business undertakings in Lagos, and Nigerian people are represented fully in the state,” Bwala said. He added that if not for the prevalence of the Yoruba language, one might not immediately identify Lagos as a Southwestern state, underscoring its national appeal.
Bwala drew a parallel to London, stating, “London has more investment than the entire state in England. In every country, wherever you find the commercial nerve, you are likely to put more infrastructure in the state in order to boast the economy of that country.” This analogy framed Lagos as Nigeria’s key economic engine, justifying the focus on its development.
