₦airaland Forum

How's is Lagos holding the country back?
Recently, mention states that have massive project and development initiative like Lagos.
During Fasola regime, most of the Governors in Nigeria was imitating the program and projects of Lagos, is that the way Lagos is holding them back?

Gerrard59:
You are the one mentioning an ethnic group name; I did not. What I stated was narrated by a successful entrepreneur who thought (logically) that it is cheaper to import via Onne port, but his equipment got delayed. In fact, during his narration, I noticed he became inaudible when he started narrating how the equipment got delayed. His audibility dropped after stating that port officials said he should have used Lagos ports.

To date, Ibom Port has yet to be approved, despite Udom's tireless efforts.

You mentioned tribalism. What was the association between tribalism and Onne officials sabotaging the ports? You are trying to imply somehow Lagos is responsible for the Onne port not working. Even if the claim by Udom is true, if Onne port is free clear and attractive, Akwa Ibom will not have an issue or even need a port. They will only need barges. By the way, we all know that why Lagos is attractive is because the market is there. You don’t need to pay transport to move Goods to a place where half will rot because not enough people can buy it. But let’s keep deceiving ourselves and blaming a particular tribe. When people start to look inward and hold themselves accountable, Nigeria will move forward.

Even the Whites ran away from Calabar to come an situate the capital in Lagos. If they truly built the port in Lagos, they would have built one in Calabar too isn’t it? Even they saw that Lagos even then had the population and the port already making business easy for them. We were trading with the Portuguese in the 1400’s. Even old Lagos families will tell you that before slavery we used to travel by boat abroad for trading. My great grand parents used to trade several items. I wonder where they used to trade and ship these things if Lagos had no ports.

aylipple:
Tbh, I tried my best to listen/watch this video with a balanced perspective and after enduring the ignorant & even sinister takes about Lagos by VDM for 5 minutes, I just had to stop there for my sanity.

Secondly, blaming Lagos for the perceived privileges the state enjoys is probably the most flimsiest excuse for daft, incompetent and visionless governors that have governed other states in the country at least, since 1999. Lagos has in the last decade provided a conducive atmosphere and the resources for private investors to invest in the state via the Lekki Deep Sea Port. The Badagry Deep Sea Port is already being set in motion (also to be financed majorly by private sector). What have the Governors of Akwa Ibom (the Ibom Deep Sea Port is still a mirage), Delta, Rivers, Ondo & Cross River done to attract investors to develop Sea Ports in their states? Just recently, we heard Alh. Aliko Dangote announce that he’ll soon break ground for the largest Sea Port in Nigeria in Ogun State; that’s what visionary leadership does.

Thirdly, the last time I checked, the Calabar (Cross River) & Onne (Rivers State) Ports are functional especially the latter which has consistently berthed some of the largest vessels ever in Nigerian ports https://www.thecable.ng/onne-port-berths-largest-cargo-vessel-second-time-in-3-months/ (this was 2024. There are more of such vessels berthing there as far back 2020) and this next report is as recent as April 2025 https://businessday.ng/maritime/article/onne-port-receives-largest-container-ship/ if importers choose to receive their imports through Lagos (when the Eastern Sea Ports esp Onne is active and receiving cargoes), how’s this Lagos’ fault especially as the same people keep complaining about how chaotic Lagos Ports (Apapa and Tin Can especially) can be? What has stopped successive governors of Akwa Ibom State especially from going ahead with making the Ibom Deep Sea Port a reality considering its very huge economic potentials?

Thank you for your post.

Onne port is geared towards exports, especially from the north east and oil products. Ibom Port in Akwa Ibom is yet to be approved by the federal government even after Udom Emmanuel persisted to ensure it happened. Meanwhile, the Ibom Port area has a natural deep-sea bed. It does not need dredging. On the other hand, Calabar Port cannot work unless it is completely dredged.

Fourthly, saying Nigeria needs at least 18 international airports is the height of ignorance and yet, Lagos is to be blame. Pray tell, aside from Lagos and Abuja (and probably Kano and Port Harcourt international airports), which other airports are economically viable? Do they’ve the commerce, population, conducive environment or even economy to support international flights? For someone who has traveled within and outside the country by air, I’m actually surprised VDM could make such an ignorantly bold assertion. Even the states that have airports for domestic flights, how viable have they been? Remember how the only airline at the time (Air Peace) was flying to Kaduna consistently but had to stop after Bandits almost succeeded in hijacking or attacking one of their aircrafts? If states don’t tackle the issues of insecurity head on and citizens of such states actively and tacitly support those threatening security, how’s that Lagos’ fault? Or you think international airlines don’t receive security briefings about active flash points of violence? The decision to fly from any particular airport anywhere in the world is solely the responsibility of the airline and I don’t see how or why Lagos has to be the scape goat as if they put a gun to the heads of the owners of the international carriers to fly into and out of Lagos or risk getting shot dead!

This video by VDM smells like an agenda (like something sinister is brewing underneath) and Lagos is the target. Aside listening to what he said in the video, I also listened for what he wasn’t saying - if he had made this video when PMB (God Rest his soul) was President, it would’ve been somewhat “ok” but doing this at a time when some northern political elite especially are crying over the perceived imbalance of project sites in favour of Lagos is bad timing. He also had to use the same video (where he blamed Lagos as holding back Nigeria) to encourage the call for Biafra? Lagos and Biafra in the same sentence? Nah, I can smell an agenda from a mile away and VDM is being used (knowingly or unknowingly) to push that agenda.

I do agree he has a sinister agenda, but we have divergent reasons for thinking so. Surprisingly, he never mentioned that Port Harcourt and Kano airports received international flights. He is being dishonest. The Nigerian economy cannot even support more than the current international airports.

1mansolder:
The government,let every state control the resources that comes to them.

na you dey control the resources before?

waternogatenemy:
TOO MUCH STORY, LAGOS HAS NO BSUINESS IN NIGERIA AND SHOULD BE CARBVED OUT AS A COUNTRY.

TAHT IS THE TOPIC HERE.

Thanks for the summary. You cannot just jump into conclusion without executive summary and analysis. Moreover, what I wrote is just a little part of the preamble - the spiritual part of it.

I live in Abuja during Abacha era and very close to the seat of power. Late Abdulkarim Adisa said he was not Minister of Lagos Affairs. They said Lagos would die. They said they will move NPA to Lokoja. They ordered Banks to relocate their Head Office out of Lagos. Obasanjo came he said Lagos is a jungle.

Afonja007:
you guys forgot there is google only ethiopian air line is allowed to land in enugu where every other airline is landing in lagos

who stopped them, nobody. But come to see, who will into Enugu with UGM and other violent crimes. Same thing happened in the Northern part of Nigeria at the height of insurgency

2mch:
You mentioned tribalism. What was the association between tribalism and Onne officials sabotaging the ports? You are trying to imply somehow Lagos is responsible for the Onne port not working. Even if the claim by Udom is true, if Onne port is free clear and attractive, Akwa Ibom will not have an issue or even need a port. They will only need barges. By the way, we all know that why Lagos is attractive is because the market is there. You don’t need to pay transport to move Goods to a place where half will rot because not enough people can buy it. But let’s keep deceiving ourselves and blaming a particular tribe. When people start to look inward and hold themselves accountable, Nigeria will move forward.

I agree with the population angle. Nonetheless, the port activities attract companies and more people. So, it is a cycle > more people attract more companies which further attracts more people.

Anyway, I don't blame Lagos' elites, but those in Rivers and surrounding states. If they were smart enough, they would collaborate much better. To date, Rivers State does not have a sitting governor. So, it is not Lagos' fault. However, the country needs a diversified economy for growth to happen and for the unemployment rate to drop. The reality is that not every ambitious Nigerian can live in Lagos. Nigeria's economy ought to be more like the US, where at least three geographically diverse states are major economic drivers.

PHIPEX:
The lazy ones will ask you to return to your state, after using our money to develop Lagos.

Lagos is the NEPO baby of Nigeria

it's not too late to start using your money to develop your state

Get to work

VDM has a sinister motive with his video, but it is widely known that it is expensive to clear goods from Onne port compared to Lagos ports. Onne to me only makes sense if it is for export, rather than for imports. That said, the two major reasons Lagos ports get patronage are:
- Population.
- Two of Nigeria's major non-oil exports cocoa and cashews are mostly grown in the south west. So both imports and exports will have to go through Lagos ports. Non-oil products from the north west will as well go through Lagos ports. If ports in the Eastern region (including a proposed Gelelege Port in Edo) are to thrive, political elites from the region, north central and north east have to ensure success.

Nigeria needs functioning ports to thrive across the country for the nation's economy to be diversified.

professorPABX:
Thanks for the summary. You cannot just jump into conclusion without executive summary and analysis. Moreover, what I wrote is just a little part of the preamble - the spiritual part of it.

I live in Abuja during Abacha era and very close to the seat of power. Late Abdulkarim Adisa said he was not Minister of Lagos Affairs. They said Lagos would die. They said they will move NPA to Lokoja. They ordered Banks to relocate their Head Office out of Lagos. Obasanjo came he said Lagos is a jungle.

MUCH BETTER SUMMARY.


TRUTH IS VDM ACTUALLY WANT NIGERIA TO DEVELOP, FOR SO LONG WE HAVE BEEN HELD HOSTAGE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.

WE HAVE OIL BUT REFINERY WERE NEVER ALLOWED TO WORK.

WE HAVE SEA BUT WERE NEVER ALLOWED DEEPSEAPORT ASIDE LAGOS./


WE HAVE MASSIVE LANDMASS BUT HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA LAGOS MMA.


TRADERS WILL COME T LAGOS TO CARRY THEIR GOODS TO KANO AND CROSS RIVER BORNO. AND BENUE.

waternogatenemy:
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THAT YOU CRIED AND CRIED WEN DEY WANTED TO BUILD AND SWORE IT WILL NEVER BE BUILT.



SINCE 2015, IT HAS NOT BE TOUCHED AND LEFT AS IT IS TLL DATE.


IT IS ONE THING TO LIE BUT ANOTHER TO BE A COMPULSIVE AND HABBITUAL LIAR.

U SAY THINGS THAT U DO NOT WANT OR MEAN PUBLICLY NOW, WEN A YORUBA MAN SPEAKS WE KNOW NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING HE SAY SERIOUSLY AND JUST PRESS ON.

You have perpetual victim complex and are a commpppulsive storyteller. Is this not the airport? You want everything Lagos has now, but don’t want to work for it or demand airlines use the airport. A foreigner reading your post will think it’s wheelbarrow they use from Enugu Airport to Lagos.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrq5KqinjQ?si=clixdNvH0L9UioNq

AND WE STILL HAVE THE FEDERAL ITEMISED LIST OF AREAS STATE MUST NEVER DEVELOP.


I MEAN SOMEBODY JUST SAT DOWN AND BLOCKED NIGERIA PROGRESS WITH PEN AND PAPER.

legitnow1:
SEE QUESTIONS?



MUST U FOIST LAGOS ON US EVEN WEN WE DONT WANT IT?

How are they Foisting Lagos on you ... no be you as importer go choose port of destination

Have you tried Rivers port or benine republic port and Sanwo olu hold your hand, go elsewhere 1st

2mch:
You have perpetual victim complex and are a commpppulsive storyteller. Is this not the airport? You want everything Lagos has now, but don’t want to work for it or demand airlines use the airport. A foreigner reading your post will think it’s wheelbarrow they use from Enugu Airport to Lagos.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrq5KqinjQ?si=clixdNvH0L9UioNq

STOP POSTING LOCAL TERMINAL.


THE AVIATION MINISTER HERE FROM 20:00 CONFIRMS ENUGU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAD BEEN ABANDONED SINCE 2015



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfDI4TeVE7Y

Gerrard59:
Thank you for your post.

Onne port is geared towards exports, especially from the north east and oil products. Ibom Port in Akwa Ibom is yet to be approved by the federal government even after Udom Emmanuel persisted to ensure it happened. Meanwhile, the Ibom Port area has a natural deep-sea bed. It does not need dredging. On the other hand, Calabar Port cannot work unless it is completely dredged.

Your response provides further insight into the status of the Eastern Ports. However, a check on the official website of the IDSP indicates FG approval has been granted with the project currently at Full Business Case & procurement stage, albeit it's taking time; hopefully, it doesn't drag on or remain at that stage for too long. See here >> https://www.idsp.ak.gov.ng/ibom-deep-sea-port-project-status.php
As for Calabar Ports, I think there's a court case (or even multiple cases) due to contract issues that has stalled progress on its dredging or functionality.

Gerrard59:
I do agree he has a sinister agenda, but we have divergent reasons for thinking so. Surprisingly, he never mentioned that Port Harcourt and Kano airports received international flights. He is being dishonest. The Nigerian economy cannot even support more than the current international airports.

Exactly! MAKIA for instance receives high volume of air travelers & cargoes especially to and from Arab nations yet, it's still not deemed viable.

AfonjaPriest:
I have said it many times in many fora that the reason noisemakers are claiming Lagos to be their birthright is because of the undeserved status Lagos have been bestowed with.
Oya, close the ports in Lagos and see if Lagos nor go dry pass bonga fish.
Accommodators go wake up to discover say population of Lagos don go down.
Tribal landlords nor go fit dey select tribes, as their developer customers wey dey pay dem well well go don vamoose.
Trust me, dem accommodators neva see anything, but by the time they close down the ports, even oshodi-apapa expressway go dey look like wetin they want take do football field.

Make them do the port for your backyard. Stop talking like you dey nur1, talk like a reasonable adult

waternogatenemy:
STOP POSTING LOCAL TERMINAL.


THE AVIATION MINISTER HERE FROM 20:00 CONFIRMS ENUGU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAD BEEN ABANDONED SINCE 2015



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfDI4TeVE7Y

That’s because your Governors are not doing anything but getting allocation from FG. If they come together, clean up their region and create trust between the airlines and the states, those airlines will come to Enugu. By the way, if you watch that video, it is very clear that there is a lot of activity and Air Peace and Ethiopian Air use the airport to many destinations around the world.

The summary of this is, all the things you are fighting Lagos for, it’s your Governor you should be fighting.

2mch:
That’s because your Governors are not doing anything but getting allocation from FG. If they come together, clean up their region and create trust between the airlines and the states, those airlines will come to Enugu. By the way, if you watch that video, it is very clear that there is a lot of activity and Air Peace and Ethiopian Air use the airport to many destinations around the world.

The summary of this is, all the things you are fighting Lagos for, it’s your Governor you should be fighting.

DUDE, GET OFF MY MENTION ALREADY.

Gerrard59:
VDM has a sinister motive with his video, but it is widely known that it is expensive to clear goods from Onne port compared to Lagos ports. Onne to me only makes sense if it is for export, rather than for imports. That said, the two major reasons Lagos ports get patronage are:
- Population.
- Two of Nigeria's major non-oil exports cocoa and cashews are mostly grown in the south west. So both imports and exports will have to go through Lagos ports. Non-oil products from the north west will as well go through Lagos ports. If ports in the Eastern region (including a proposed Gelelege Port in Edo) are to thrive, political elites from the region, north central and north east have to ensure success.

Nigeria needs functioning ports to thrive across the country for the nation's economy to be diversified.

I didn't read your post but just observed you talk about Seaport like majority of people on this topic do out of ignorance, bitterness and for propaganda.

Country cannot force Ships to deliver cargoes to ports that are not on their routes. Maersk is at Onne Port. Ships move cargoes to and from Onne Port. Some people asked questions why DANGOTE use Lome Port during Refinery project when Lagos doesn't have the capacity to receive the 150,000 containers, they said why not Warri others mentioned Portharcourt (Abonema or Onne).

I don't want to delve into technicalities. Intel Logistics and other private investors are driving Badagry Deep Seaport. Tolaram group and others private investors created Lekki Deep Seaport. DANGOTE has announced his intention to establish a deep seaport in Ogun State. AkwaIbom governor should let us know the Private investors that are driving the IBOM Deep Seaport. Before 2023 election battle, ATIKU was always talking about the progress being made at Badagry Seaport because of Intel Logistics. Politics came and nothing heard again. We need to know those investors driving IBOM Deep Seaport.

Calabar is very close to ECCAS - Economic Community of Central Africa States countries.
ECOWAS with Lagos as the economic hub is close to Cotonou ports, Lome Port, Tema and Takoradi ports in Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire port, Senegal port.

Gerrard59:
I agree with the population angle. Nonetheless, the port activities attract companies and more people. So, it is a cycle > more people attract more companies which further attracts more people.

Anyway, I don't blame Lagos' elites, but those in Rivers and surrounding states. If they were smart enough, they would collaborate much better. To date, Rivers State does not have a sitting governor. So, it is not Lagos' fault. However, the country needs a diversified economy for growth to happen and for the unemployment rate to drop. The reality is that not every ambitious Nigerian can live in Lagos. Nigeria's economy ought to be more like the US, where at least three geographically diverse states are major economic drivers.

The truth is Nigerians all like to specialize in one business. Imagine the East now, 80% are importers. So, who in the East will patronize their business? They have to find outsiders to buy their goods, hence moving money and commerce out of their region. Most countries limit this by granting licenses to make the barrier for entry high, so people can find other things to do. There is no structure, so everything is abnormal.

If Nigerian hear one business is moving, 1m people will rush to do that business and crash the opportunity for people with the knowledge and the capacity. The country can’t grow with the way we are moving till the Governors come together with sincerity and craft plans for their region.

professorPABX:
I didn't read your post but just observed you talk about Seaport like majority of people on this topic do out of ignorance, bitterness and for propaganda.

Country cannot force Ships to deliver cargoes to ports that are not on their routes. Maersk is at Onne Port. Ships move cargoes to and from Onne Port. Some people asked questions why DANGOTE use Lome Port during Refinery project when Lagos doesn't have the capacity to receive the 150,000 containers, they said why not Warri others mentioned Portharcourt (Abonema or Onne).

I don't want to delve into technicalities. Intel Logistics and other private investors are driving Badagry Deep Seaport. Tolaram group and others private investors created Lekki Deep Seaport. DANGOTE has announced his intention to establish a deep seaport in Ogun State. AkwaIbom governor should let us know the Private investors that are driving the IBOM Deep Seaport. Before 2023 election battle, ATIKU was always talking about the progress being made at Badagry Seaport because of Intel Logistics. Politics came and nothing heard again. We need to know those investors driving IBOM Deep Seaport.

Calabar is very close to ECCAS - Economic Community of Central Africa States countries.
ECOWAS with Lagos as the economic hub is close to Cotonou ports, Lome Port, Tema and Takoradi ports in Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire port, Senegal port.

If I want to ship something to and from Nigeria, I can choose the route and the port I want it delivered to. That is what a lot of importers are doing. If I am an importer, I am shipping to the port with the most people. It’s business, not sentiments. Guaranteed my goods will move and sell faster. That way, Ships will also consider if it is worth it allocating a whole ship to deliver 5-10 containers. Wasting salary, fuel and resources. They will cancel that route and only provide a route where 10,000 containers are going. It is just business for them as well. So, you see, it is business people making these decisions, not government. If you like build 1000 ports, if the market is In Lagos, things will remain the same.

aylipple:
Your response provides further insight into the status of the Eastern Ports. However, a check on the official website of the IDSP indicates FG approval has been granted with the project currently at Full Business Case & procurement stage, albeit it's taking time; hopefully, it doesn't drag on or remain at that stage for too long. See here >> https://www.idsp.ak.gov.ng/ibom-deep-sea-port-project-status.php
As for Calabar Ports, I think there's a court case (or even multiple cases) due to contract issues that has stalled progress on its dredging or functionality.

Thank you for the correction.

chido20:
He is saying the truth. FG controls the seaport and airport if they want it working well in other states, they should know what to do

I don't just understand the educated illiterates running their mouth above.

waternogatenemy:
MUCH BETTER SUMMARY.


TRUTH IS VDM ACTUALLY WANT NIGERIA TO DEVELOP, FOR SO LONG WE HAVE BEEN HELD HOSTAGE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.

WE HAVE OIL BUT REFINERY WERE NEVER ALLOWED TO WORK.

WE HAVE SEA BUT WERE NEVER ALLOWED DEEPSEAPORT ASIDE LAGOS./


WE HAVE MASSIVE LANDMASS BUT HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA LAGOS MMA.


TRADERS WILL COME T LAGOS TO CARRY THEIR GOODS TO KANO AND CROSS RIVER BORNO. AND BENUE.

He doesn't want Nigeria to develop. It is societal decay that created Social Media entertainers as later day activists. It is just like some nairaland moderators bias and uncoordinated control of intelligent topics.

All these things you wrote above doesn't make any meaning. In US and other developed countries there are Seaports with Ships that don't come to Lagos. You have to move your cargoes to Seaport that have Shipping Lines that come to Lagos, alternatively, you go to Tema or Lome or Cotonou ports to clear your goods and bring to Nigeria. In developed countries, there are international flights that are not even available in some Airports, you have to get those Airports.

If your Social media later day activists wanted to talk about refineries not working and land mass for Agriculture what concerns a Coastal City , the ECOWAS economic hub carrying much burden with that? Will the Emirates in UAE putting blame on Dubai for not allowing them thrive economically. Bye

I didn't know VDM also chase clout until now.

2mch:
If I want to ship something to and from Nigeria, I can choose the route and the port I want it delivered to. That is what a lot of importers are doing. If I am an importer, I am shipping to the port with the most people. It’s business, not sentiments. Guaranteed my goods will move and sell faster. That way, Ships will also consider if it is worth it allocating a whole ship to deliver 5-10 containers. Wasting salary, fuel and resources. They will cancel that route and only provide a route where 10,000 containers are going. It is just business for them as well. So, you see, it is business people making these decisions, not government. If you like build 1000 ports, if the market is In Lagos, things will remain the same.

Thanks. My friends have gone to Lome Port severally to clear goods some years ago. They have gone to Cotonou, they have even gone as as far as Tema port in Ghana to clear goods some years ago.

Also in US, they want to move items from a particular place to Nigeria, the port at that location doesn't have Shipping Lines to Nigeria except the goods are moved to another port with Shipping Lines to Cote D'Ivoire, Tema, Lome up to Lagos.

If Federal Government close all the Seaport in Lagos for VDM to develop his town, the Shipping Lines or Agencies will discharge about 80% of Nigeria Cargoes in Togo or Cotonou

Gerrard59:
That project has stalled as there has been no approval from the federal government. Udom worked tirelessly for it to be approved, but it has not been approved. I wait to see what Akpabio would do.


The contract for this was awarded to the current governor of Imo. He squandered everything.

Akpabio is the current Senate president, so no excuses.

GEJ was president yet nothing changed. PMB was president and nothing changed.

The truth is simple, those pushing the narrative that development is concentrated in Lagos are doing so to knock the government of the day but I do not buy into that narrative. When the state government are serious, they'll get the FG to support what they want.

Gerrard59:
I agree with the population angle. Nonetheless, the port activities attract companies and more people. So, it is a cycle > more people attract more companies which further attracts more people.

Anyway, I don't blame Lagos' elites, but those in Rivers and surrounding states. If they were smart enough, they would collaborate much better. To date, Rivers State does not have a sitting governor. So, it is not Lagos' fault. However, the country needs a diversified economy for growth to happen and for the unemployment rate to drop. The reality is that not every ambitious Nigerian can live in Lagos. Nigeria's economy ought to be more like the US, where at least three geographically diverse states are major economic drivers.

Gerrard59:
VDM has a sinister motive with his video, but it is widely known that it is expensive to clear goods from Onne port compared to Lagos ports. Onne to me only makes sense if it is for export, rather than for imports. That said, the two major reasons Lagos ports get patronage are:
- Population.
- Two of Nigeria's major non-oil exports cocoa and cashews are mostly grown in the south west. So both imports and exports will have to go through Lagos ports. Non-oil products from the north west will as well go through Lagos ports. If ports in the Eastern region (including a proposed Gelelege Port in Edo) are to thrive, political elites from the region, north central and north east have to ensure success.

Nigeria needs functioning ports to thrive across the country for the nation's economy to be diversified.

A country's economy has different participants or players but the major ones are:

Public sector ( also known as Federal government, state government, local government and other government agencies ).

Private Sector ( the sector where private individuals, private companies and other private agencies are )

Non-governmental organizations ( NGO ) which are organisations not part of the government but can get funding from either public sector or private sector..

A country's economy is also the same thing as a Tribe's economy.

Lagos elites also includes Yoruba elites from other Yoruba states and outside both the Yoruba region and Nigeria.

It is Yoruba elites and Yoruba people that will diversify the economy of the Yoruba region and not the federal government so it is the duty of Tribes to diversify their own Tribes economy either through partnership within themselves or other Tribes or state government or FG or foreigners..

You said it yourself "Two of Nigeria's major non-oil exports cocoa and cashews are mostly grown in the south west" which means Yoruba people have already created an economy that sustains them.

That said, the two major reasons Lagos and the Yoruba region is progressive and gets patronage are:

1. the huge Yoruba population have the finances that other tribes don't have due to Cashew and Cocoa exportation from Yoruba region..

2. the huge Yoruba population outside Nigeria that sends finances back to the Yorubas in Nigeria also helps boosts purchasing power of Yorubas in Lagos state.

e.t.c.

It is not Lagos fault that the rest of Nigeria is not developing and Lagos is not holding any state back....

it is those states that don't have the skillset and mindset to boost the finances and wellbeing of their Tribes.

PulaPower:
Mtchewwww..

Like say other states for naija no dey receive allocations..

There are some state governors that you’ll barely hear them doing anything, yet they receive monthly allocations..

Keep deceiving yourself, you hear. Most of you just like to talk what suits you all.

legitnow1:
CARRY THE LAGOS AND BE GOING NOW.


THAT TOO CANNOT BE A PROBLEM.

ALL HE SAID WAS LAGOS CAN GO.

Lagos can go where??

I am from Edo state...
Vdm is from Edo state too...

Now answer my questions...

Na lagos state people tell Edo state people say make we dey focus on trivial things while other people are developing??

Edo received almost 140b.....weein the government use am do??

Make we go delta state....
Delta received close to 400b in 6 months as allocation...

Na lagos tell them make them no use am develop the state??

Abi na South East you wan talk??

Abeg make una leave lagos alone

Similar things are happening in South Korea and to some extent Japan.