Commissioner Denies Lagos Smells Tag, Dismisses it as Malicious, Harmful Propaganda

Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has defended the state’s reputation against what he describes as “malicious narratives” and “harmful propaganda”.

The commissioner’s comments come after Iguma Scott, a social media influencer, sparked a heated debate by comparing Lagos unfavorably to New York, saying the city “smells”.

Wahab took to Twitter to express his concern about individuals who quickly criticize the state after benefiting from its opportunities.

“The deliberate efforts by a handful of individuals to tarnish the reputation of Lagos State are deeply concerning.

“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 wrote.

The commissioner emphasized Lagos’ progress, inclusivity, and resilience, urging constructive criticism over malicious narratives.

“Lagos is a state that has made tremendous progress in recent years, and we will not let the efforts of a few individuals undermine our achievements.

“We welcome constructive criticism, but we will not stand idly by while our reputation is being tarnished by those with divisive agendas,” he said.

Wahab also challenged Scott and others like him to hold other states to similar standards, adding , “If you are going to criticize Lagos, then you must also be willing to criticize other states that are not doing as well.

“We cannot have a situation where Lagos is held to a higher standard than every other state in the country. That is unfair and unjust.”

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Lagos is a city that is deeply passionate about its reputation and its future. Whether or not the commissioner’s response will be enough to silence the critics remains to be seen, but one thing is certain the conversation about Lagos’ condition is far from over.