The Lagos State Government, through the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has renamed several streets to honour prominent figures in entertainment, sports, and politics.
The renaming was officially announced on Friday during a public event to mark the end of the tenure of Bariga LCDA Chairman, Hon. Kolade David Alabi.
In his remarks, Alabi explained that they took their time to reflect on individuals who have put the name of the local council on the global map through their talents and contributions.
“As well as eminent personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of our nation and state,” he said.
But not everyone welcomed the change.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore described the street renamings as “cynical,” “vindictive,” and part of a “xenophobic and divisive agenda.”
In a statement posted online, Sowore said:
“These actions are not merely a matter of urban planning, but a calculated political vendetta… orchestrated to target specific ethnic groups and punish political opponents of the ruling All Progressives Congress regime in Lagos.”
He further condemned the renaming of the Charly Boy Bus Stop, calling it:
“A spiteful rewriting of history meant to silence dissent and discredit voices that have long challenged authoritarianism… Charly Boy Bus Stop is an iconic landmark tied to decades of creative resistance and people-powered culture in Nigeria.”
The veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, known as Charly Boy (Area Fada), offered a brief but telling reaction when contacted by Daily Post:
“Na dem sabi.”
He had previously referenced the bus stop in an April 2024 tweet, noting,
“As I dey pass my old area today, Gbagada, I still see Charlyboy Bus Stop. I been think say dem wan remove am, I just dey laff mumu pple.”
Some of the other renamings under the Bariga LCDA initiative include:
Charly Boy Bus Stop – Baddo Bus Stop (Olamide Adedeji)
Ilaje Road – King Sunny Ade Road (Juju music icon)
Bariga Road – Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way (President of Nigeria)
Community Road, Akoka – Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Road (Governor of Lagos State)
Ajidagan Street – Olamide Adedeji Street
Ifeanyi Street – Abolore Akande Street (singer 9ice)
Ayodele Street, Ladi-Lak – Tony Tetuila Street (Afropop veteran)
Ilojo Crescent, Obanikoro – Bukayo Saka Street (England/Nigerian footballer)
The changes follow similar actions in Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, which recently renamed 24 streets.
The decision has drawn mixed responses from residents and social media users:
@StrideNetwork argued that the bus stop was never officially named after Charly Boy:
“The bus stop was originally known as 2nd Pedro, not Charly Boy Bus Stop. The latter was never an official designation.”
@IriobeOfunre similarly said: “It is quite ironic that they are renaming a bus stop without first verifying its correct name.”
Others suggested the renaming will have little practical effect. One user joked:
“In the next 10 years, that place will still be referred to as Charly Boy Bus Stop by taxi drivers, bus conductors and school childr
en… The changes na for paper no be for minds of the people.”
