By John Umeh
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has come under fire after retweeting a controversial post that appeared to suggest homeless individuals who fail to thrive in Lagos should return to their hometowns. The retweet, which has sparked widespread backlash on social media, is being seen by many as insensitive, particularly given the city’s growing homelessness crisis.
The post in question read: “Go back to your village if Lagos is not working for you. Stop sleeping under the bridge and constituting nuisance.” By retweeting it, many believe Wahab effectively endorsed the message, prompting criticism from citizens, human rights advocates, and political commentators who argue that such statements lack empathy and ignore the systemic issues behind urban poverty and homelessness.
Critics have pointed out that rather than offering solutions, the retweet appears to dismiss the struggles of Lagos’s most vulnerable populations. They argue that as Commissioner for the Environment, Wahab’s role includes addressing the realities of homelessness, not brushing them aside.
In response to the outrage, some defenders of the Commissioner claim the retweet was taken out of context or intended to draw attention to the growing problem of makeshift settlements and environmental degradation. However, no official clarification or apology had been issued by Wahab at the time of this report.
The incident has reignited debate around the responsibilities of government officials in tackling urban poverty, and whether the state’s approach to migration and homelessness prioritizes human dignity and inclusion. As Lagos continues to expand and attract people seeking better opportunities, the city’s leaders face mounting pressure to provide not just economic growth, but also social equity and basic human needs.
Public expectations remain high for state officials to show leadership grounded in compassion and policy-driven action—something critics say this retweet clearly lacked.
