Think Yoruba First Group Asserts Cultural Sovereignty, Warns Settlers Against Interference in Lagos Street Renaming

 

A renewed cultural and political assertion has emerged from Southwest Nigeria, as a prominent Yoruba socio-political group, Think Yoruba First, issued a strongly-worded statement rejecting external interference in local affairs. The group addressed recent criticisms over the renaming of streets in Lagos State, a move that has sparked controversy, particularly among non-Yoruba residents.

Ogbeni Oluwole Lewis, the Public Relations Officer of Think Yoruba First, made the declaration while responding to objections raised by the pan-Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. According to Lewis, the Yoruba people are unwilling to yield their cultural autonomy or territorial rights, especially on matters that concern the heritage and identity of their land.

Yorubaland, he emphasized, belongs to the Yoruba people by ancestry and history. He argued that the power to rename streets, neighborhoods or landmarks in Lagos should rest squarely with the Yoruba, as the original custodians of the territory. For Lewis and the Think Yoruba First Group, the matter is beyond a civic decision; it is a matter of cultural sovereignty.

He remarked, “We won’t outsource, lease or rent out our sovereignty and birthright to any settler colony, no matter how many statements or noise they make. This decision is non-negotiable!” His words reflected the organization’s broader belief that attempts to shape or dilute Yoruba cultural expressions by external voices are unacceptable and potentially dangerous.

Public debate over the naming and renaming of streets has grown more heated in recent months, as Lagos continues to evolve as a megacity housing diverse ethnic populations. Yet, according to Lewis, this diversity should not come at the cost of the Yoruba people’s right to protect and project their cultural identity.

He pointed to global norms, where host communities retain the authority to make decisions affecting their space. Settlers, he said, should exercise respect and restraint rather than lay claims to influence in matters of cultural significance. “The convention worldwide is for settlers to respect the host communities and their right to make decisions,” Lewis added. “Whoever feels wronged by decisions taken by Yorubas in Yorubaland is constitutionally empowered and advised to relocate.”

This sentiment touches on a broader conversation about indigenous rights, urban development, and inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria’s most populous and economically vibrant state. While Lagos is often touted as a melting pot, the assertion by Think Yoruba First brings to light the tension between inclusivity and cultural preservation.

Ogbeni Lewis further warned that Yoruba people intend to take further steps to reclaim and emphasize their cultural identity across public infrastructure and naming conventions. He stated that settlers should prepare for more such changes in the coming weeks. “The names of places must reflect the cultural ties of the locals,” he said. “We are not obliged to even engage or debate such changes with settlers. The moment we start allowing outsiders to dictate such, it stops being Yorubaland.”

Though the statement has sparked mixed reactions, especially on social media, many Yoruba supporters of the group’s position see it as a necessary step to preserve the cultural integrity of Lagos, which they feel is gradually eroding due to external influence.

Critics, however, argue that such rhetoric may deepen ethnic divisions in a state that prides itself on being a commercial hub open to all Nigerians. Nevertheless, Lewis insists that the position is not rooted in hate or xenophobia, but rather in self-determination and cultural preservation.

“It is not about excluding anyone,” he explained. “It is about ensuring that our heritage is not buried under political correctness or demographic pressures. Lagos is Yoruba land, and decisions that shape its cultural image must reflect that reality.”

As Nigeria continues to navigate its multi-ethnic structure and urbanization challenges, statements like these from regional advocacy groups reflect a growing desire to reaffirm local identity amidst national complexity. Whether or not the sentiments of Think Yoruba First will influence policy at the state level remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the cultural future of Lagos will continue to spark intense debate.