Ilaje Residents Protest Renaming of Historic Road in Lagos

Residents of Ilaje community in Lagos have rejected the renaming of their historic Ilaje Road to King Sunny Ade Road, calling the move an erasure of their identity.

They staged a protest on Wednesday in Bariga, demanding that the original name be restored.

The name change was approved by the outgoing chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, David Kolade Alabi, just days before leaving office. The decision has sparked widespread anger, not just within the Ilaje community but among Lagosians across the state.

Led by traditional leaders, including the Baale of Ilaje/Bariga, High Chief Kayode Ayetiwa, protesters said the street name, in use since 1948, carries deep historical meaning. Ayetiwa said the community will not allow its legacy to be erased, regardless of the popularity of King Sunny Ade.

Although the new LCDA chairperson, Bukola Adedeji, has appealed for calm and promised a review of the renaming, residents submitted a formal protest letter rejecting the move. The letter, signed by Ayetiwa and other community leaders, described the action as unconstitutional and done without legislative approval.

Raphael Irowanu, President General of Egbe Omo Ilaje, accused political leaders of trying to erase the Ilaje people from Lagos’ identity. He warned that continued marginalisation could backfire politically on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

“This is not about King Sunny Ade. We respect him. This is about our heritage,” Irowanu said. He noted that the Ilaje, an ethnic Yoruba group tracing their roots to Ile-Ife, number around four million in Lagos alone.

Protesters carried placards with slogans like “Ilaje Road, our history, our identity” and “We say no to renaming,” marching peacefully through the area.

The street renaming is part of a growing trend in Lagos that has triggered legal pushback and public outcry. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana condemned the renaming of streets without due process, calling it unconstitutional and authoritarian. He cited a court case to argue that only elected local government councils have the legal power to name streets.

Falana also criticised similar renamings, such as “Charley Boy Bus Stop” to “Baddo Bus Stop,” saying community consultation is essential.

Former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola also weighed in, calling for the protection of historical names and urging residents to learn the stories behind them. He encouraged more support for the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau.

As the debate continues, the Ilaje community insists it won’t back down until “Ilaje Road” is officially reinstated.