Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has raised alarm over what he calls a growing disregard for due process in the renaming of public spaces in Lagos.
Falana pointed to several recent instances, such as the change of “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by former Bariga LCDA chairman Kolade Alabi.
He also referenced reports of streets being named after President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and late Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe reportedly at the instance of businessman Aliko Dangote.
In his view, these actions bypass constitutional protocols.
He argued that only local government councils have the authority to name or rename streets, as established by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He cited the case Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, where the court held that such duties fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“The usurpation of the exclusive functions of local governments on street naming by certain individuals and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State cannot be justified under the Nigerian Constitution,” Falana stated.
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He took issue with the renaming of the Charley Boy Bus Stop, saying the name originated from the cultural and social relevance of Charley Boy’s impact on the Bariga and Gbagada areas.
“Charley Boy Bus Stop acquired its name sociologically due to its functionality and the positive impact which Charley Boy has historically made in the area,” Falana noted. “Renaming it without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism.”
Falana also criticised the continued use of colonial-era names that hold no relevance or honour for Nigerians, contrasting that with the erasure of locally meaningful names.
He called on the legislative arms of Lagos local governments to intervene, suggesting they put clear guidelines in place.
These should include community consultation and public hearings before any changes are made.
“Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily to please the whims and caprices of political leaders or to promote ethnic chauvinism, especially in a cosmopolitan capital city like Lagos,” he said.