A media aide to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has criticised social commentator Solomon Buchi following his remarks urging foreign visitors to look beyond Lagos when visiting Nigeria.
Buchi, in a video shared online, told non-Nigerians to stop making Lagos their main destination if they wanted to experience what he described as Nigeria in its “truest and most beautiful form.” He encouraged tourists to explore cities including Uyo, Abuja, Ibadan, Calabar, Jos, Taraba, Kano, Yola and Bauchi.
The media personality argued that the heavy international focus on Lagos could prevent visitors from experiencing the country's wider cultural diversity. He particularly recommended Ibadan for foreigners interested in Yoruba culture and described Uyo as a serene city and Abuja as a beautiful destination.
Buchi's comments, however, attracted criticism because of the manner in which he described Lagos. In the video, he made sweeping remarks about the city, including references to begging, clubbing and what he called “fake life”, while arguing that visitors should explore other parts of Nigeria.
The comments drew a response from Wale Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Sanwo-Olu, who criticised Buchi's position and questioned the broader implication of dismissing Lagos as a destination.
Ajetunmobi argued that Lagos should not be reduced to its nightlife or the negative experiences highlighted by Buchi, pointing instead to the city's economic importance, infrastructure and role as one of Nigeria's major centres for business, entertainment and tourism.
The reaction has reopened a wider conversation about how Nigeria presents itself to international visitors and whether tourism promotion should focus heavily on Lagos or deliberately encourage tourists to explore destinations across the country.
Lagos is Nigeria's commercial hub and has long attracted international visitors because of its business environment, entertainment industry, beaches, restaurants, cultural events and nightlife. At the same time, cities such as Uyo, Abuja, Ibadan, Calabar and Jos have their own cultural, historical and natural attractions.
Buchi's underlying argument that Nigeria's tourism potential extends beyond Lagos has also received support from some online commentators, who said international visitors should explore more of the country. Others criticised his sweeping description of Lagos and argued that highlighting the city's shortcomings should not be confused with presenting a complete picture of the state.
The controversy comes at a time when Lagos continues to position itself as a major destination for investment, business and tourism. Governor Sanwo-Olu, speaking at the Freedom Online Annual Lecture in Lagos on September 3, described the state's economic and infrastructure development as part of its wider appeal, pointing to projects including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Blue and Red rail lines.
Rather than necessarily being mutually exclusive, the debate highlights an opportunity for Nigeria to promote a broader tourism map in which Lagos remains an important gateway while other cities receive greater international visibility.
For foreign visitors, exploring different parts of Nigeria could provide a wider understanding of the country's regional cultures, food, history and landscapes. But the discussion also demonstrates why public figures making tourism recommendations need to distinguish personal preference from broader claims about an entire city.
Buchi's comments were presented as his personal assessment, while the criticism from the Lagos government aide reflects a contrasting view of the city's image and contribution to Nigeria. The disagreement has therefore moved beyond a simple argument over which city tourists should visit, becoming part of a broader conversation about Lagos's identity and Nigeria's tourism potential.
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