By Charles Pemu 
Lagos, Nigeria — In a move to advocate for increased federal support, a top presidential aide has described Lagos State as the “heartbeat of the nation’s development,” arguing that it deserves massive federal investment due to its central role in the country’s economy.
Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, made the remarks during a recent interview on Arise Television. He compared Lagos to global economic powerhouses like London, New York, and Paris, calling it “the hub of Nigeria” and the “pride of the country.”
Bwala’s comments come amidst a backdrop of the Federal Government’s recent dismissal of claims that infrastructure project approvals are disproportionately skewed towards certain geopolitical zones.
During the interview, Bwala described Lagos as a “no-man’s land” to highlight its diverse, cosmopolitan nature. He supported this claim by noting that the President, a native of the South-West, did not win Lagos in the last election. He also pointed out that Africa’s wealthiest man, a northerner, has his primary business in Lagos, not in his home state.
The “no-man’s land” comment quickly ignited a firestorm of debate on social media, leading Bwala to issue a swift clarification on X (formerly Twitter). He stressed that his remark was not intended to question the state’s Yoruba heritage, which he affirmed is “culturally, historically, and constitutionally” settled.
Instead, Bwala explained that his intention was to emphasize Lagos’s crucial function as the nation’s commercial nerve center, a city that provides a level playing field for every Nigerian to thrive, regardless of their origin. He argued that any president who wants to succeed must “critically support” Lagos to sustain its economic and social responsibilities.
In a separate development, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pushed back against claims from opposition parties that the state receives undue privilege from the Federal Government.
According to Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC spokesman, such statements are “laughable and unfortunate.” He argued that Lagos is “overburdened, over-performing, under-credited, and not over-pampered.”
Oladejo highlighted the state’s unique challenges, including infrastructure overload, environmental pressures, and housing deficits, all of which come with its status as a megacity of over 22 million people.
“Lagos is not just a city. It is Nigeria in microcosm an urban miracle built not on oil wells or political favoritism, but on vision, hard work, sacrifice, and inclusiveness,” Oladejo stated. He reiterated the party’s call for Special Status for Lagos, a request he said is “rooted in logic, in data, and in the national interest.”
Oladejo concluded by urging the National Assembly to rise above partisan politics and finally accord Lagos the special status it has “earned and long deserved” for its immense contributions to the country’s economy and national unity.