‘Lagos is a no man’s land’ – Bwala defends concentration of FG projects in one state

Lagos State has been described as “no man’s land” and the economic pride of Nigeria by Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication. Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday, September 3, Bwala defended the concentration of federal projects in Lagos, stressing that it should be seen as a strategic investment rather than favoritism.

According to Bwala, the N3.9 trillion worth of federal projects reportedly allocated to Lagos State over the past two years reflects the city’s unique position as the nation’s commercial hub. “Let me tell you why Lagos State is different. Lagos State is a no-man’s land. In the last election, the President who comes from the South-West did not win Lagos. That tells you the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State,” he said.

Bwala emphasized Lagos’s diverse economic landscape, pointing out that it attracts people and businesses from across Nigeria. He noted that many of the country’s wealthiest individuals operate in Lagos, regardless of their state of origin, highlighting the city’s role as a national economic center. “If not because probably the majority of the people are Yoruba speaking, you would wonder whether Lagos indeed is from the South-West,” he added.

Drawing comparisons with global cities such as New York, London, and Paris, Bwala argued that concentrating resources in commercial centers is a common practice worldwide. He said, “London has more investment than the entire states in England put together. New York has more infrastructure and investment than the rest of the United States, including California. Paris has more investment. So in every country, wherever you find the commercial nerve of that country, you are likely to see the need to put infrastructure in place to boost the economy. Whatever Lagos benefits, the country benefits.”

Bwala reiterated that Lagos remains central to Nigeria’s commerce and infrastructure development, which in turn drives national growth. “So the idea that you put more in Lagos than in other states or the federation should be put into a proper context. Lagos is a no-man’s land. Lagos is the hub of Nigeria. Lagos is the pride of the country,” he said.