Relocating to Lagos from UK best decision of my life – Rep

By John Ogunsemore

Hon. Akin Alabi, Member for Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said relocating to Lagos from the United Kingdom was the best decision he ever took.

Alabi said this in an X post on Saturday.

He was responding to a claim by controversial real estate influencer, Scott Iguma that Lagos smells and is filled with “big mosquitoes.”

He said Lagos could not be compared with New York and other major cities in the world because of dearth of amenities in the Nigerian city.

Iguma highlighted open drainages as a major challenge to Lagos’ aesthetics.

In a viral podcast interview, Iguma said, “Lagos is smelling…There are a lot of big mosquitoes in Lagos.”

Reacting, Alabi, a businessman-cum-politician, said relocating to Lagos from the United Kingdom in 2008 was the best decision of his life.

He said, “Relocating to Lagos in 2008 after my brief sojourn in the UK remains the best decision I’ve taken in my life.”

Meanwhile, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab dismissed Iguma’s claim, saying it was a deliberate attempt to demarket the state.

“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 with 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.

“While constructive criticism is essential for growth, malicious attempts to vilify a state that empowers countless lives daily are counterproductive. Lagos remains a place of opportunity, innovation, and resilience, and it is imperative that we collectively uphold its integrity while fostering unity and progress.

“Dear @IgumaScott I do hope that you will put this same energy in ‘looking out’ for other states. I wish you all the best!”