Bariga LCDA Renames Streets in Honour of Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Olamide, Saka, Others

In a bold and culturally resonant move, the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has officially renamed several streets after notable personalities, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and a lineup of globally recognized entertainers and athletes with roots or ties to the community.

The announcement was made on Friday, July 25, 2025, by the outgoing chairman of Bariga LCDA, Kolade Alabi David, as he rounded off his tenure. According to Alabi, the decision was part of his administration’s effort to honor individuals who have brought prestige to Bariga, Lagos, and Nigeria as a whole.

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A Tribute to Icons: Renaming to Preserve Legacies

Alabi explained that the renamed streets reflect a deep appreciation for the cultural, political, and societal contributions of the honorees. “We took our time to reflect on those who have put Bariga and Nigeria on the global map—through music, politics, sports, and selfless service,” he said during the official announcement.

The renaming initiative, he emphasized, serves not only as a symbolic gesture of gratitude but also as a way to permanently inscribe their legacies into the geography and history of Bariga.

Among the renamed roads is Bariga Road, now called Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, in recognition of the former Lagos State governor and current President of Nigeria. Tinubu, a prominent political figure, has long been associated with the transformation of Lagos and remains a political symbol in the state’s narrative.

Similarly, Community Road in Akoka has been renamed Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Road, in honour of the sitting governor, who Alabi credited for infrastructural support and administrative partnerships that impacted Bariga positively during his tenure.

Entertainment Meets Geography: Streets for Stars

In a nod to the influential voices of Nigerian music and sports, several other streets were renamed after world-famous entertainers and athletes:

• Ilaje Road now bears the name King Sunny Ade Road, after the legendary Juju music icon who has represented Nigerian music globally for decades.
• Ajidagan Street has been renamed Olamide Adedeji (Baddo) Street, paying tribute to the award-winning rapper, popularly known as Olamide or Badoo, a proud son of Bariga whose music career has touched lives across Africa and beyond.
• Ifeanyi Street is now Abolore Akande (9ice) Street, in honour of the artist 9ice, known for his rich infusion of Yoruba lyrics and cultural identity in music.
• Ayodele Street in Ladi-Lak has become Tony Tetuila Street, commemorating another musical icon who gained prominence during Nigeria’s early 2000s pop music boom.
• Perhaps the most globally surprising change is Ilojo Crescent in Obanikoro, which now carries the name Bukayo Saka Street. Saka, a British-Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Arsenal and England, has consistently acknowledged his Nigerian heritage, with Bariga celebrating him as one of their own.

In a particularly notable cultural pivot, the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop has also been renamed in honour of Olamide Baddo, further solidifying the rapper’s connection to the community and acknowledging his impact beyond music into social influence and youth empowerment.

Community Reactions and Legacy

Residents and local stakeholders have responded with mixed emotions—many praising the gesture as a welcome way to celebrate living legends and community heroes. Some, however, raised concerns about the practical implications of frequent street name changes, particularly in relation to navigation and documentation.

Regardless of the debates, the renaming stands as a cultural milestone for Bariga LCDA. It aligns with a broader trend across Nigerian municipalities where streets and landmarks are increasingly being named after entertainers and athletes, rather than only political or historical figures.

For Kolade Alabi David, the outgoing chairman, the move caps off his administration’s legacy with a forward-looking, identity-defining moment. “These names will outlive us all,” he said. “Our children will grow up walking these streets, hearing these names, and be reminded that greatness can indeed come from Bariga.”