Audio By Carbonatix
Elected officials in Nigeria’s Lagos State have called on the state’s governor to look into renaming some of the city’s streets in order to remove the reminders of colonialism and slavery.
During Wednesday's debate on the issue in the state’s house of assembly, Noheem Adams reflected about the killing of African-American George Floyd, which has sparked a wave of Black Lives Matter protests around the world.
“Some of the names remind us of these people that enslaved our people,” the house speaker Mudashiru Obasa is quoted by the Premium Times newspaper as saying.
“Those who dehumanised Africans should not be celebrated,” he added.
But not everyone following the debate agreed.
Lawyer Ebun Adegboruwa is quoted in the paper as saying that the lawmakers were being "unduly emotional" and that the names were part of the city's and country's history.

Here are some places that could be up for renaming:
- Lugard Avenue: home to an old style colonial residence located in Ikoyi area of Lagos Island. The road in front of the building is named after Nigeria’s first Governor-General, Sir Frederick Lugard. He was responsible for amalgamating Nigeria’s southern and northern protectorates in 1914.
- Bourdillon Road: named after the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, Sir Bernard Bourdillon, runs through an affluent part of Ikoyi.
- Victoria Island: named after Queen Victoria, it is the main business centre of Lagos state - and also one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to reside in the city.
Latest Stories
-
Nana Ama McBrown, Kate Henshaw headline Women of Valour London 2026
3 minutes -
David Asante’s contributions at GPCL must be recognised – Vicky Bright
10 minutes -
I don’t want my people to be mistreated by ICE — Ambassador Victor Smith tells US Senator
14 minutes -
Detained fugitives: If you’re not prepared to be accountable, don’t hold public office – Vicky Bright
21 minutes -
Adutwum outlines vision for a growth-minded Ghana, draws lessons from global experiences
23 minutes -
I wish former CSA boss Dr Antwi-Boasiako continues in office – Sampson Lardy
24 minutes -
Kotoko maintain title ambition despite mixed results – Sarfo Duku
32 minutes -
NPP Flagbearer Race: Dr Adutwum speaks on economy, Ghana’s current gains, and more
33 minutes -
We must show zero tolerance for corruption and punish political elites – Susan Adu-Amankwah
38 minutes -
I’ll raise the needed funds to win on January 31 – Adutwum
40 minutes -
Adutwum urges calm in NPP, tells Frimpong-Boateng to look ahead to better days
42 minutes -
Your choice will shape NPP’s future – Adutwum to delegates
46 minutes -
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu must be arrested immediately on arrival; sent to prison – Ex-Deputy AG
58 minutes -
I’ll be surprised if Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu is granted bail on arrival – Bobby Banson
1 hour -
Sedina Tamakloe’s US arrest vindicates work we started in office – Tuah-Yeboah
2 hours
