Fashola Reacts to Street Renaming Controversy in Lagos, “I Keep My Gunpowder Dry”
- Former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, reacted to the street renaming controversy
- Fashola said Lagos state's history must be preserved in the naming of streets, stating that its "archival heritage is a valuable testimony"
- The discussion on street naming and renaming in Lagos state continued to generate controversy on social media
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Victoria Island, Lagos state - Former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has called for the preservation of Lagos’ history to avoid distortion and promote values.
Fashola said this is important, particularly as the discussion on street renaming in Lagos continues to generate controversy.
Source: Facebook
He stated this while speaking on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the public presentation of “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1)” held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The former minister of Works referenced the works in the digital archives of the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
“The archival heritage is a valuable testimony to the sociopolitical and economic development of humanity.
“For instance, the Glasgow University archives service gives fascinating insights into the influence that the university, its staff and students have had in the history and development of many countries, including Nigeria.”
Speaking about Dr Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, who was enrolled in 1913 and graduated in 1918 from the University of Glasgow, he said:
“So those of us who drive through streets such as Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja will probably now understand and contextualise the contributions of such a man and why it was considered such a high honour to immortalise him by naming a street in his memory.
“But it is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and street unnaming, and I keep my gunpowder dry.”
Source: Original
Falana fumes over renaming of Lagos streets
Recall that human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), criticised the renaming of streets in Lagos as illegal and suggestive of “ethnic chauvinism”.
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Falana, who stated this on Sunday, July 27, called for public hearings before the naming of streets, adding that it should not be done arbitrarily.
He noted that the recent renaming done in Lagos was the usurpation of powers by certain individuals and local council development areas.
Read more on Lagos street renaming controversy:
- Charly Boy Breaks Silence on Bus Stop Renamed After Olamide: “You Can’t Touch My Records”
- "Charly Boy Wa O": Danfo Conductor Calls Baddo Bus Stop by Old Name, Man Questions Him in Video
- “Charly Boy Bus Stop Renamed to Baddo Bus Stop”: Lagos Council Honours Olamide, Sunny Ade, Others
- Charly Boy Bus Stop Renamed to Baddo Bus Stop? Noble Igwe Weighs In on the Trending Report
Full list of streets renamed in Lagos
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that local councils in Lagos state renamed 32 streets to honour public figures, musicians, and leaders, sparking both celebration and criticism.
Bariga LCDA praised individuals who contributed to national development, while Ajeromi-Ifelodun’s renaming stirred ethnic exclusion concerns.
Residents raised alarm over the replacement of Igbo-named streets with Yoruba names, prompting debate over heritage and inclusion.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
