Amid ongoing debates over street renaming in Lagos, the Eti-Osa Local Government Area has officially renamed six streets within its jurisdiction, citing cultural and navigational improvements as the rationale.
The announcement, issued Friday in a public notice signed by council manager Mrs. Oluwakemi Oshun, stated that the new names take immediate effect.
The move comes in the wake of a wider controversy over street renaming in Lagos, following a public backlash in Bariga Local Council Development Area earlier this year.
There, the then chairman, Kolade Alabi, renamed several streets in honour of certain personalities, including the widely known Charly Boy Bus Stop, which was controversially changed to Olamide Baddo Bus Stop along the Oworonshoki Expressway.
That decision triggered heated debates among residents and civil rights advocates, with prominent Lagos-based human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemning the action as “unconstitutional.”
Falana argued that arbitrary street name changes, without legislative input or broad community consultation, could infringe on the rights of citizens and lead to administrative confusion.
Despite the previous backlash, Eti-Osa council stated that its current street renaming and revalidation exercise is aimed at “enhancing cultural and historical relevance” while improving “navigation and identity management” for both residents and businesses.
The council also urged the public to promptly update their addresses and business documents to reflect the changes.
The six renamed streets are:
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Tony Amadasun Road in Igbo Efon, now Chief Femi Pedro Road
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Dr. Udo Wogu Drive in Chevy View, now Chief Adebola Dosunmu Drive
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Augusta Orji Street along Aro Ologolo Road, now Alhaji Adio Mayegun Street
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Chike Mba Close in Osapa London, now Hon. Sikiru Ashorota Close
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Ugochukwu Orji Street in Igbo Efon, now Barr. Wale Sanni Street
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Fubara Dublin Green Street in Igbo Efon, now Rafiu Olukolu Street
Local reactions to the development have so far been mixed. Some residents welcome the change, noting that the new names honour prominent individuals and may strengthen local cultural identity.
Others, however, remain skeptical, fearing that constant renaming could lead to confusion in postal services, property documentation, and navigation systems like Google Maps.
Experts have also weighed in, advising local councils to ensure that future renaming exercises involve community participation, clear legal backing, and sufficient public awareness campaigns.
“Renaming streets is not inherently wrong, but it must be procedurally correct,” said a Lagos-based urban development consultant, emphasizing the need for transparency and sensitivity to public sentiment.
As the revalidation exercise continues, Eti-Osa’s move reflects a broader trend of urban identity reshaping across Lagos. Whether this latest round of renamings will avoid the controversy that surrounded Bariga remains to be seen, as residents and stakeholders continue to watch closely.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
