“You Can Rename a Place, But Not a Legacy”: Charly Boy Blasts Lagos Over Bus Stop Name Change

A legacy is under fire, and Nigerian Twitter is eating it up. Lagos State has stirred up a full-blown culture war after quietly renaming the legendary Charly Boy Bus Stop in Bariga — a location deeply tied to decades of activism and counter-culture — to Olamide Bus Stop, in honor of the multi-award-winning rapper and Bariga-born hitmaker. But not everyone’s clapping. Least of all Charly Boy himself. Veteran entertainer, activist, and unapologetic rebel, Charly Boy (a.k.a. Charles Oputa), didn’t just shrug it off. He came out swinging on X (formerly Twitter), calling the move “petty,” “silly,” and “a cheap attempt to erase history.” His fiery posts lit up timelines and WhatsApp groups alike, especially one quote that hit deep: “You can rename a place… but you can’t rename a legacy.” And honestly? He’s got a point. For those who don’t know, Charly Boy isn’t your average throwback celeb. He’s a cultural force — a man who shook up Nigeria’s conservative norms in the ‘80s and ‘90s with his gothic fashion, biker stunts, fearless journalism, and fierce political outbursts. He was activism before activism was cool — leading protests, defending civil rights, and championing youth rebellion before social media was even a thing. The “Charly Boy Bus Stop” wasn’t just a name. It was a symbol — a living reminder that Nigerian youth could be loud, weird, brilliant, and powerful all at once. So when Lagos swapped his name out for Olamide’s without any formal announcement, fans — and critics — had questions. Yes, Olamide is a cultural icon in his own right. From Yahoo Boy No Laptop to Rock, he put Bariga on the global Afrobeats map. But does honoring one legend mean erasing another? Charly Boy’s response wasn’t just about a signpost. It was a defiant stand for legacy — and a sharp reminder that fame fades, but impact echoes. “They may change the signboard,” he warned, “but they will NEVER kill the legacy.” The internet is torn. Some Gen Zs say it’s time to honor today’s stars, while others argue that removing Charly Boy’s name instead of adding Olamide’s is lazy policymaking and cultural disrespect. So what now? Should we start replacing Fela’s statues with Burna Boy’s? Swap Chinua Achebe Street for Rema Boulevard? The streets are watching, and this debate is far from over.