The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has condemned what he described as a growing trend of some individuals using social media to “propagate harmful narratives” against the state that accommodated and gave them success.
Wahab’s comment was in response to media personality Scott Iguma’s appearance on a recent episode of The KK Show—Key to Keys, where he compared Lagos State to New York.
Iguma dismissed the comparisons, stating that “it’s wrong to use it for Lagos to compare to New York. What about in terms of value? What about in terms of fresh air?”
He thereafter said, “Lagos is smelling. There are a lot of big mosquitoes in Lagos.”
“Lagos is smelling…there are a lot of big mosquitoes in Lagos.”
— Scott Iguma pic.twitter.com/VrLphaHUer
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) May 16, 2025
In response, Commissioner Wahab took to Twitter on Saturday to accuse Iguma and others of attacking the city that has enabled their success, adding that “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.
“Leveraging social media followings, these individuals propagate harmful narratives, often aligned with divisive agendas, undermining the progress and inclusivity that Lagos represents.”
Wahab noted that constructive criticism is essential for growth but warned against what he called “malicious attempts” to vilify a state that empowers countless lives daily as counterproductive.
He described Lagos as “a place of opportunity, innovation, and resilience” and called for public discourse that supports unity and progress.
“Dear Iguma Scott, I do hope that you will put this same energy in ‘looking out’ for other states. I wish you all the best,” Wahab said.
