Badagry Was a Major Slave Trade Route in West Africa

Badagry, a historic coastal town in Lagos State, stands today as one of West Africa’s most powerful reminders of the transatlantic slave trade. Founded in the 15th century, it grew into a bustling trading hub due to its strategic access to the Atlantic Ocean and its network of waterways. By the 17th century, Badagry had become a major departure point where thousands of enslaved Africans were transported to Europe and the Americas, making it a central route in the inhumane triangular slave trade.

The growth of Badagry’s slave market was driven largely by interactions with European merchants Portuguese, British, Dutch, and French traders who arrived on its shores seeking human labor for plantations across the Atlantic. Local middlemen, influenced by economic pressures and the complex politics of the era, facilitated the trade by capturing and selling individuals. This collaboration created a thriving but brutal economy that altered the social fabric of the region.

One of Badagry’s most symbolic landmarks is the “Point of No Return,” a narrow strip of land leading to the ocean where captured Africans took their final steps on home soil before boarding slave ships. The journey to this point was marked by pain, fear, and spiritual disconnection. Oral histories recount how captives were forced to walk barefoot on hot sand and subjected to rituals intended to erase their identity and weaken their resistance. The path stands today as a preserved memorial to their suffering and resilience.

Key sites such as the Slave Relics Museum, the Mobee Family Museum, and the Seriki Williams Abass Museum provide tangible evidence of Badagry’s role in the trade. Chains, branding irons, auction rooms, and artifacts reveal the cruelty of the era, while guided tours help visitors understand the scale and impact of the transatlantic slave system. Through these preserved monuments, Badagry not only documents history but also fosters conversations about justice, reconciliation, and collective memory.

Today, Badagry has transformed from a center of human exploitation into a place of learning, reflection, and cultural pride. Its annual festivals, heritage tours, and historical reenactments aim to honour the victims and educate new generations. As Nigeria continues to embrace tourism and cultural preservation, Badagry stands as a testament to the resilience of African people, reminding the world of a past that must never be forgotten.

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