Badagry

Badagry is a coastal town and Local Government Area in Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria. It sits on the Atlantic coast near the border with Benin Republic, about 60 kilometers west of Lagos city center, along the Lagos Lagoon and the Badagry Creek. The area forms part of the Lagos West Senatorial District and is known for its historical relationships to maritime trade and commerce.

Historically, Badagry developed as a key port and trading center during the era of the transatlantic slave trade. From the 15th to the 19th centuries, enslaved people were embarked at sites in Badagry for shipment to the Americas. Notable heritage locations include the Vlekete Slave Market, the Point of No Return, and other remnants of the slave port, which are preserved as part of the town’s historical and educational significance. The area also saw European missionary activity in the 19th century, contributing to early educational and religious establishments.

Among the town’s landmarks is the First Storey Building, widely cited as Nigeria’s oldest surviving two-storey structure, dating from the mid-19th century and associated with early missionaries and the colonial-era presence in Badagry. The Badagry Heritage Museum and related sites provide exhibits on the region’s history, including the slave trade era and local cultural heritage. Modern Badagry continues to be a site of tourism, culture, and coastal commerce.

Economy in Badagry centers on fishing, farming, and small-scale trade, with tourism tied to its historical and cultural attractions playing a growing role. The town is connected to Lagos by the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, and ongoing transport developments aim to improve regional access and integration with the Lagos metropolitan area. The population is predominantly Yoruba-speaking, with a cultural landscape that reflects maritime and historical influences.