Former Big Brother Naija star and media personality, Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has criticised content creators for what she described as their persistent and unfair criticism of Lagos State’s infrastructure.
Reacting on her official X handle, Tacha accused some online commentators of singling out Lagos as though it were the only state in Nigeria facing infrastructural challenges.
She also challenged them to share images of well-developed areas in their own states for comparison.
“All these content creators! Everyday Lagos state Lagos state! One will think ‘Lagos state’ is the only state in Nigeria. Oyah post ‘highbrow’ area in your own state and you’ll be no where to be found… doubt you even know who your local govt chairman is,” Tacha wrote.
Her post came as a reaction to a viral video showing poor drainage in an upscale part of Lagos, which triggered fresh conversations about urban planning, sanitation, and flooding in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
Tacha’s comments add to an ongoing online debate about Lagos, a state often touted as Nigeria’s economic centre but one that continues to face challenges with flooding, traffic congestion, waste management, and housing.
Recently, several influencers and public figures have spoken out about what they described as the city’s deteriorating living conditions. Among them are Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); social media personality Scott Iguma; and comedian Acapella.
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The trio went viral after asserting that “Lagos smells,” a statement that provoked heated exchanges online. While some agreed with their claims, pointing to blocked drainage channels and heaps of refuse in certain areas, others defended Lagos as a city still attracting millions because of its economic opportunities.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has since reacted to the controversy. He dismissed the claims as exaggerated and alleged that some critics were on a deliberate mission to tarnish the image of the state.
“We understand that Lagos is a megacity, and we are working tirelessly to address its challenges,” Wahab said in a statement. “But we will not allow people to create the impression that Lagos is a failed city. Our drainage maintenance programme is ongoing, and we are committed to making Lagos cleaner and safer for all.”
Tacha’s intervention highlights a growing call for content creators to strike a balance in their commentary, showcasing both the problems and progress in Nigerian states.
Some of her supporters echoed her sentiment, arguing that criticism should not focus solely on Lagos, given that other Nigerian states also struggle with poor roads, waste management, and underfunded infrastructure.
Others, however, countered that Lagos deserves more scrutiny precisely because it is Nigeria’s most populous city and prides itself as the nation’s commercial and cultural capital.
The debate underscores a larger issue about citizen engagement, accountability, and how social media shapes perceptions of governance. While videos exposing infrastructural decay can put pressure on authorities to act, critics like Tacha warn that they can also paint a one-sided picture that discourages investment and tourism.
For now, Lagos remains at the heart of national conversations about urban development, a city that is both celebrated and criticised, admired for its energy yet questioned for its inefficiencies.
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