Retired Army General Olanrewaju Slams Lagos Street Renaming, Calls It a Cultural Travesty and Historical Injustice

Retired Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, a former Minister of Communications and prominent Lagosian, has sharply criticized the recent wave of street and bus stop renaming across parts of Lagos State. Expressing deep concern over the replacement of historically rooted names with contemporary celebrities and political figures, Olanrewaju described the move as a blatant disregard for due process and a direct assault on the cultural fabric of indigenous Lagos communities.

A recent controversy emerged when the Bariga Local Government renamed the well-known “Charly Boy” bus stop after popular musician Olamide, also known as “Badoo.” Alongside this change, several other streets were rechristened in honor of prominent individuals such as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, footballer Bukayo Saka, and musicians like 9ice and Tony Tetula.

Reacting strongly in a public statement, Olanrewaju emphasized the symbolic weight street names carry, arguing that altering them arbitrarily without consulting the local communities is not only unethical but also erases critical elements of the region’s identity.

“Lagos has gradually lost its right to safeguard the legacy names that defined its neighborhoods, its people, and its heritage,” he said. “These newly elected officials must realize their power is not permanent. They are simply caretakers, entrusted with leadership for a brief period. Replacing historically significant names with modern figures who have little to no connection to the land is a reckless betrayal of that trust.”

According to Olanrewaju, this trend is a dangerous form of cultural erosion, one that could eventually displace the deep-rooted sense of place and pride that indigenous Lagosians feel toward their city. He questioned the relevance of the new names, arguing that many of the individuals being honored have yet to make meaningful contributions to the city’s development or history.

“These changes are not just cosmetic. They are deliberate acts of erasure. They strip our streets of the names that once told the story of Lagos, replacing them with names that carry little historical substance,” he continued.

He urged the government to reverse the recent name changes and engage in broader public consultation before altering landmarks that have stood for decades. According to him, the rush to honor contemporary figures over historical ones reveals a political motive that disregards the rights and sentiments of the local population.

While addressing the controversy, the retired General also took the opportunity to respond to comments made by activist and politician Omoyele Sowore. Sowore had previously remarked that Lagos does not belong to any particular tribe, suggesting that the city’s diverse makeup makes it a shared space.

Although Olanrewaju agreed that the renaming of Lagos streets appears to be politically motivated, he challenged Sowore’s notion that Lagos is a “No Man’s Land.” The former Minister pointed out that such a claim demonstrates a shallow understanding of the city’s rich pre-colonial and colonial history.

“Lagos existed as a well-established settlement long before Nigeria was formed in 1914. It had its own systems of governance, rulers, and identity. Anyone suggesting otherwise may have grown up during the unfortunate period when history was removed from our school curriculum,” Olanrewaju asserted.

He acknowledged the cosmopolitan nature of modern Lagos but stressed that it remains the ancestral home of its indigenous people, who deserve respect and recognition.

The General’s statement has since ignited fresh debate across social media and civic platforms, with many Lagosians expressing mixed feelings. Some residents view the name changes as a form of modernization and a tribute to contemporary icons, while others echo Olanrewaju’s concerns, warning against the loss of cultural identity and the potential fallout of historical neglect.

Calls are now growing louder for the Lagos State government and local councils to review the decision-making process behind the renaming exercise. Stakeholders are urging authorities to include traditional rulers, community elders, historians, and residents in such decisions going forward.

As Lagos continues to evolve into one of Africa’s most dynamic urban centers, the question remains whether the state will preserve its foundational legacy or allow political ambitions to overwrite the stories etched into its streets.