Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, has responded to recent criticism from media personality Scott Iguma over the “high cost of real estate and poor living conditions” in Lagos.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Iguma questioned the skyrocketing prices of land and housing in Lagos, particularly in upscale neighborhoods like Ikoyi and Ikate. He expressed disbelief over reports of plots selling for as much as N1 billion, asking rhetorically, “What is in the land? Are there mineral resources there?”
Iguma criticized the tendency to associate expensive properties with luxury, suggesting that real estate inflation in Lagos lacks justification. Drawing comparisons with New York, he dismissed parallels between the two cities, stating that Lagos suffers from environmental issues such as foul odors, mosquito infestations, and open drainages.
“If a property is going for N800 million in a country that’s just 65 years old, what will happen in 2050?” he asked. “Lagos is smelling, there are a lot of big mosquitoes, open drainages, gutters — so what are you comparing to New York?”
His comments have sparked mixed reactions online. While some Nigerians echoed his concerns, others accused him of exaggerating and tarnishing Lagos’s image.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Commissioner Wahab condemned what he described as a “deliberate attempt” to damage the state’s reputation. He acknowledged the value of constructive criticism but warned against what he saw as malicious attacks.
“The deliberate efforts by a handful of individuals to tarnish the reputation of Lagos State are deeply concerning,” Wahab wrote. “It is regrettable that some who relocate from their home states in pursuit of better opportunities quickly, in less than a month or two, resort to disparaging the very state that has provided them the platform to thrive.”
He accused some social media influencers of leveraging their platforms to promote divisive narratives and urged unity in celebrating Lagos’s progress.
“While constructive criticism is essential for growth, malicious attempts to vilify a state that empowers countless lives daily are counterproductive,” he added. “Lagos remains a place of opportunity, innovation, and resilience.”
Wahab also called on Iguma to apply the same scrutiny to other states across Nigeria: “Dear @IgumaScott, I do hope that you will put this same energy in ‘looking out’ for other states. I wish you all the best!”
This incident echoes a similar backlash in November 2024, when a social media user identified as Nurse Ugbede faced criticism for allegedly describing Lagos and its residents as “smelly.”