Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has sharply criticised the recent renaming of streets and landmarks in Lagos State without community consultation, calling the actions unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Falana’s remarks follow the renaming of two streets after President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu by Kolade Alabi, the immediate past Chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Alabi also renamed the popular “Charly Boy Bus Stop” along the Gbagada–Bariga road to “Baddo Bus Stop.”
Reacting to these developments, Falana reminded the public that under the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), only local governments have the legal authority to name roads and streets. He warned that any attempt to usurp this power violates the constitution and sets a troubling precedent.
“It is pertinent to point out, without any fear of contradiction, that the naming of roads and streets, and numbering of houses in any part of Nigeria is one of the exclusive functions of Local Governments,” he stated, referencing the relevant constitutional provision.
To reinforce his argument, Falana cited a landmark ruling in Chief Obidi Ume v Abuja Metropolitan Management Council & 2 Ors, where a court held that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has the authority to name streets in the capital. The court also ordered the removal of illegally erected street signs made without AMAC’s approval.
Addressing the renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop, Falana noted that the name was not assigned by government authorities but emerged from local use due to the cultural relevance and positive influence of Charly Boy in the Bariga and Gbagada communities. “Renaming the Charly Boy Bus Stop without consulting the Bariga and Gbagada people smacks of authoritarianism,” he said.
He further condemned what he described as a troubling trend of replacing names of homegrown contributors with those of political leaders, while colonial-era street names, often tied to exploitative histories, remain untouched. “It is sad to note that a State…is busy renaming streets and bus stops named after Nigerians who have made their contributions,” Falana remarked.
Calling for reform, Falana urged local governments to conduct public hearings before renaming any streets. He stressed that naming decisions should reflect the wishes of the community and uphold democratic principles, rather than serve the political ambitions of a few.
“In view of the serious objections to the diversionary renaming of streets in Lagos State, the legislative arms of the local governments should henceforth conduct public hearing,” he said. “Streets should not be renamed arbitrarily… particularly in a capital city like Lagos.”