‎Falana Faults Renaming Lagos Streets, Says Move Violates Constitution, Community Rights

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), has criticised the recent renaming of streets and bus stops in Lagos, describing the move as unconstitutional and authoritarian.

‎Falana, in a strongly worded statement, said the actions taken by some individuals and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State including the recent renaming of “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop” by the former chairman of Bariga LCDA, Kolade Alabi lacks legal backing and disregard community input.

He also cited other instances, such as the naming of streets after President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as billionaire Aliko Dangote’s reported renaming of streets in honour of his late friend, Herbert Wigwe, and Tinubu, allegedly without due process.

‎Falana stressed that under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the power to name streets, assign numbers, and designate roads lies exclusively with local government councils, as outlined in the Fourth Schedule. He backed his stance with a court ruling in Chief Obidi Ume v. Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, where the court affirmed that only the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) had such authority within its jurisdiction.

‎“The usurpation of this constitutional function by LCDAs and private individuals is not only illegal but undermines democratic governance,” he said.

Specifically, he condemned the renaming of Charley Boy Bus Stop, a historically rooted name embraced by the Bariga and Gbagada communities as an act of disrespect to residents and a disregard for cultural heritage.

‎“That name emerged organically, tied to the area’s identity and the influence of Charley Boy. Altering it without consulting the people is authoritarian,” Falana said.

‎He also criticised the continued celebration of colonial figures in Lagos street names, while contemporary Nigerian icons are erased without proper deliberation.

‎Falana urged local government legislative councils across the state to halt arbitrary renaming of public places. He called for institutionalised public hearings and adherence to legal procedures in such matters.

‎“Renaming streets should not serve political interests or ethnic sentiments. Lagos is a cosmopolitan city and must uphold democratic values,” he said, warning that unilateral decisions threaten community identity and constitutional order.