Lagos, Nigeria – July 30, 2025
Fashola Stresses Need to Preserve Lagos History Amid Street Naming Debate
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has called for greater efforts to preserve Lagos State’s rich history, especially as discussions over the renaming of streets continue to stir controversy.
Speaking at the public presentation of “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1)” at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island on Tuesday, Fashola emphasized the need to protect the city’s heritage to prevent historical distortion and uphold societal values.
The event was attended by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. In his remarks, Hamzat echoed Fashola’s sentiments, commending the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) for producing an innovative educational resource that combines creativity with historical documentation.
📚 Street Naming and Historical Memory
Using historical references, Fashola underscored the importance of keeping public memory alive through archival preservation and street naming. He cited the University of Glasgow’s digital archives as a global model, highlighting how carefully preserved documents from the early 1900s still offer valuable insights into global history, including Nigeria’s.
Fashola made specific mention of Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, one of Nigeria’s earliest medical professionals and a 1918 graduate of the University of Glasgow. He noted that Dr. Oluwole’s pioneering work in school health services and sanitation in Lagos led to his commemoration via the naming of Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja.
“Those of us who drive through Ladipo Oluwole Street now better understand why such a man deserved that honour. It’s a reminder that street names are more than labels—they are legacies,” Fashola remarked.
He cautiously addressed the ongoing debate on the renaming of streets, saying:
“It is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and unnaming. I’ll keep my gunpowder dry for now.”
🏛️ Calls for Archival Investment
Fashola also urged the Lagos State Government to provide greater funding and institutional support for LASRAB, which was established during his tenure as governor.
“LASRAB must be adequately resourced to serve as a central hub for preserving the collective memory of Lagos. This is bigger than just books—it’s about building a trustworthy and comprehensive historical repository,” he said.
“It’s an innovative tool to stimulate young minds and promote our shared history,” he said, praising Fashola for laying the groundwork for LASRAB with a directive that all major state documentation be archived for posterity.
Hamzat added:
“It is crucial that we understand our past in order not to lose ourselves. This initiative strengthens our identity as Lagosians.”
As Lagos evolves, leaders like Fashola stress the importance of preserving the city’s soul. Beyond roads and infrastructure, he argues, the stories behind names, buildings, and people form the foundation of a society that respects its past while building for the future.
