Lagos Nigeria – The Eti‑Osa Local Government Area has quietly added six more streets to its ongoing renaming exercise, making them effective immediately as part of efforts to enhance cultural relevance, improve navigation, and standardize identity systems across the jurisdiction
The updated list comes amid a broader backlash over similar exercises in other regions of the city—particularly in Bariga and Ajeromi‑Ifelodun LCDA—where longstanding street names tied to Igbo heritage were replaced by predominantly Yoruba names, sparking accusations of ethnic bias and constitutional overreach.
🛣️ Renaming Details (Eti‑Osa LGA – Effective Immediately):
- Tony Amadasun Road, Igbo Efon → Chief Femi Pedro Road
- Dr. Udo Wogu Drive, Chevy View → Chief Adebola Dosunmu Drive
- Augusta Orji Street, Aro Ologolo → Alhaji Adio Mayegun Street
- Chike Mba Close, Osapa London → Hon. Sikiru Ashorota Close
- Ugochukwu Orji Street, Igbo Efon → Barr. Wale Sanni Street
- Fubara Dublin Green Street, Igbo Efon → Rafiu Olukolu Street
Officials urge residents and businesses within Eti‑Osa to update postal addresses, business records, and official documentation to reflect the new street names.
⚖️ Public Response and Legal Concerns
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) strongly condemned arbitrary street renaming in Lagos—especially the changes in Bariga LCDA—calling them illegal and unconstitutional under the 1999 Constitution. He emphasized that naming and renaming streets legally falls under the remit of local councils, and any changes should follow due process including public consultation
Noted activist Omoyele Sowore described the exercise as politically and ethnically motivated, targeting landmarks associated with non‑Yoruba identity—most notably the controversial renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop to Baddo Bus Stop. Sowore argued the changes represent a broader pattern of cultural erasure Channels Television+6Sahara Reporters+6Sahara Reporters+6.
Civil society voices argue that naming decisions should reflect Lagos’s cosmopolitan nature and protect the city’s multi‑ethnic heritage.
📌 Where Things Stand
- Eti‑Osa Council asserts the renamings aim to honor local figures and improve urban planning
- Critics warn of ethnic bias, lack of transparency, and legal violations in implementation
- Affected communities in areas like Ajegunle and Bariga are still adjusting physical and digital addresses on maps and postal systems
- Legal experts insist on constitutional compliance and stakeholder involvement going forward
As the renaming exercise expands across more LCDAs, Lagos faces mounting pressure to balance heritage preservation with modernization—while upholding democratic values and local identity in one of Africa’s most diverse cities.