By Samuel Olasunkami
In Nigerian politics, the phrase “Nigeria is not Lagos” has become a rallying cry against attempts to impose the governance style of one state on the entire federation, disregarding its many different realities. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, credited with transforming modern Lagos as governor between 1999 and 2007, became Nigeria’s president in 2023. His tenure in Lagos is often described as a period of significant change, marked by increased revenue, improved infrastructure and economic vibrancy. Yet his attempt to extend this so-called “Lagos miracle” across the nation has exposed deep flaws. What seemed to work in one wealthy state has created widespread difficulties when applied to the country as a whole.
Tinubu’s Lagos years are remembered for fiscal ingenuity. By reforming the tax system, he increased internally generated revenue (IGR) and funded projects such as roads, bridges and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. He is also credited with initiating community development programmes and civil service reforms, cementing Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial hub. However, beneath this narrative lies the reality of over-taxation, poor service delivery and widespread hardship. Despite the revenue boom, over 90% of Lagos residents continue to provide their own water, electricity and security. Informal levies, the rise of the “agbero” extortion system, allegations of land grabbing, and inflated contracts left many questioning whether governance served citizens or political elites.
This centralised and highly controlled system thrived in Lagos due to its unique advantages: a busy port, access to federal allocations, and a thriving private sector. But Tinubu maintained control through political dominance and godfatherism, stifling opposition and ensuring continuity of his influence for more than two decades. Such an approach is ill-suited to Nigeria’s federal structure, with 36 states and over 200 ethnic groups.
As president, Tinubu has attempted to replicate Lagos’s tax-heavy and centralised model at the national level, but with damaging consequences. Major reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and currency unification were hailed as bold but have driven inflation, economic instability and deepening poverty. The naira remains weak, with black market rates above ₦1,500 to the dollar, while high port charges make Nigeria one of the costliest trade environments in West Africa.
Critics argue Tinubu governs Nigeria as though it were “Lagos Limited”, prioritising the South-West in both appointments and infrastructure spending. Projects worth trillions of naira, including the Lagos Coastal Highway and Lagos Airport upgrades, dwarf allocations to other regions, fuelling perceptions of bias and reigniting doubts about Tinubu’s commitment to national unity. Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai has publicly noted that Tinubu’s government has failed to deliver the promised transformation, with inequality and financial strain worsening.
While Tinubu’s administration boasts of achievements such as increased revenues, student loans and social welfare schemes, these pale in comparison to the scale of economic hardship, insecurity and unemployment facing Nigerians. Human rights groups, opposition leaders and even some of Tinubu’s allies have raised alarm over governance that appears increasingly disconnected from the plight of ordinary citizens.
Nigeria’s progress cannot be built on replicating the Lagos model but on inclusive, federal policies that reflect the country’s diversity. With over 60% of the population under 30, young Nigerians must move beyond tribal loyalties and propaganda to demand accountability, fairness and equitable distribution of resources. Criticism, as GovernMEND notes, is not opposition but the foundation of change.
Nigeria is not Lagos Limited; it is a federation that requires justice, balance and integrity in leadership. If current leaders fail to deliver, citizens must be ready to replace them with those who will.