“Stop Erasing History” – Fashola Criticizes Renaming of Lagos Streets

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has voiced strong disapproval of the increasing trend of renaming streets in Lagos without acknowledging the historical significance and contributions of those originally honoured.

Speaking at the public unveiling of Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1) on Tuesday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Fashola emphasized the importance of preserving historical records to maintain societal values and prevent the erasure of legacy.

Drawing on archival materials from the University of Glasgow, Fashola highlighted the role documentation plays in shaping public memory and national identity. He cited the example of Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, who studied at the university from 1913 to 1918 and later became Nigeria’s first African medical officer of health in the Lagos colony.

According to Fashola, Dr. Oluwole pioneered school health services and established Nigeria’s first school of hygiene in Yaba in 1920. A street in Ikeja — Ladipo Oluwole Street — was named in his honour.

Touching on recent developments, Fashola subtly criticized the ongoing trend, saying, “It is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and street unnaming, and I keep my gunpowder dry,” signaling his concern over the disregard for historical context.

He called for deeper understanding of the legacies behind street names and urged the public to reflect on the reasons they were originally given.

Fashola also advocated for more support and funding for the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), the agency behind the puzzle book. He commended LASRAB’s efforts in not only producing educational materials but also preserving vital historical records of the state.

Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, described the book as a creative educational resource aimed at fostering historical awareness among young Nigerians. He praised Fashola for establishing LASRAB during his tenure, describing it as a crucial move to ensure Lagos’s history is properly preserved and passed on.

“This initiative wasn’t just about administration,” Hamzat said. “It was about preserving and sharing our story for future generations. If we don’t know where we’re coming from, we risk losing who we are”.