Lagos governor’s aide criticizes Solomon Buchi over comments about the city

A public dispute over what Lagos represents has pitted a state government spokesman against content creator Solomon Buchi.

Buchi advised foreigners, particularly Caucasian and Chinese tourists, not to make Lagos their primary destination if they wanted to experience Nigeria’s “truest” culture. He described the city’s fast-paced nightlife as a distortion of Nigerian identity and said Lagos offered little beyond begging, clubbing, “fake life” and sexual immorality.

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Dear Solomon, you could have done a better job of marketing other parts of Nigeria without displaying your bitterness to Lagos.

He recommended Uyo, Abuja, Ibadan, Calabar, Jos, Taraba, Kano, Yola and Bauchi instead. In his description, Uyo offered a serene setting, Abuja was beautiful, and Ibadan combined good food, rural areas and a rustic city atmosphere.

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Those clubbing, BBL etc that you mentioned with derision are some of the reasons why Lagos nightlife is interesting and they’re in high demand by those who visit our beautiful city.

Gboyega Akosile, special adviser on media and publicity to the Lagos governor, responded on X by accusing Buchi of showing bitterness toward Lagos rather than promoting other parts of Nigeria. Akosile defended the elements Buchi had criticized, saying nightlife activities such as clubbing and cosmetic surgery were among the reasons visitors found Lagos attractive.

“Dear Solomon, you could have done a better job of marketing other parts of Nigeria without displaying your bitterness to Lagos,” Akosile said. He also mocked Buchi and other commentators, asking what prompted their remarks.

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No matter your hateful rhetoric, Lagos will continue to get bigger, stronger and better. It is a city where dreams are realised. Ask several of your brothers from the other side.

Akosile said Lagos would continue to grow despite what he called Buchi’s hateful rhetoric. He described the city as a place where dreams are realized and said visitors could expect many activities in Lagos in December.

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The only thing you can get out of Lagos is begging, clubbing, fake life, and a den of adulterers and fornicators. There is nothing there apart from all the loudness and madness.