Badagry is a coastal town which lies between the city of Lagos and the border of the Republic of Benin, Seme. It is a historic town that is symbolic of Nigeria’s journey to independence.
The town was a major slave port and market on the West African coast, exporting no fewer than 600,000 African slaves to the west. Now, Badagry is a center for tourist attraction where people from far and wide come to explore its momentous sites, interesting landscapes, cultural artifacts and relics from the slave trade era.
Badagry offers lots of adventures, from hiking to boat ride to sightseeing. It offers you the rare chance to explore some historical values, culture and tradition of the people of Badagry and so many other activities.
Here are some of the places you totally should see when you visit;
The First Storey Building in Nigeria
The first storey building holds so many historical events in Nigerian history. It was was built by Reverend Henry Townsend of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in 1845. It once served as the official residence of St. Thomas Anglican church missionaries.
This building was once home to the first teacher in Nigeria, Bishop Ajayi Crowther, in this building a major part of his translation of the Holy Bible from English to Yoruba was done.
Vlekete Slave Market
This is no regular market. Built-in 1502 by the Portuguese, the Vlekete slave market is the market where slaves were auctioned and sold through trade by barter. At least 18,000 slaves were said to have been sold at this market. Within the market is Vlekete Shrine which was famous for resolving disputes and trying accused individuals during the trade era.
Agiya Tree Monument
It is the location where Christianity was first preached in Nigeria by two missionaries; Henry Townsend and Thomas Birch Freeman in 1842. The monument used to be a massive Agiya tree that served as a safe haven and a town square for both secular and religious activities. The monument now stands tall at the heart of Badagry and is a great spot to take pictures.
The First well in Nigeria (Miracle well)
The Miracle well has been in existence since 1842 and is still in existence. The water is known for its purity. It is very clean and there is a general belief that it has supernatural powers to help women conceive and can also help single people to find spouses and many other desires once they drink from this water.
Mobee Slave Museum
Mobee museum is one of the oldest private museums in Nigeria, named after a Badagry chief who’s family was the family that preserved the items in this Slave Relic Museum, and as such, the museum was named after them. This Slave Museum contains things like chains, mouth guards, padlocks and so many things used by slaves at that time.
The Badagry Slave Museum
This building used to be the District Officer’s office, during the colonial era and was built in 1863. It features old relics, instruments, artefacts, chains, artworks etc used during the slave era.
Seriki Williams Abass Slave Museum
Seriki Williams Abass Slave Museum was a slave prison used to keep slaves before they were transported to the point of no return. The slave was run by an ex-slave who got his freedom and became a major slave merchant. The Brazillian Barracoon was established in 1840 and has been converted to a Museum.
Baracoons are enclosures in which black slaves were confined for a limited period. This prison has a five 19 by 19 feet rooms, these rooms accommodates forty slaves each. The slave museum also features old relics from the slave era.
The Point Of No-Return
Now renamed ‘Point Of Return’. This is a historic Island where slaves were held before being sold into slavery. The road that leads to the ‘point of no return’ is characterized by loose sands. Slaves were usually made to walk the journey as they were being led to the middlemen who awaited them. These middlemen waited with ferries and canoes to transport the slaves to other parts of the world.
Access to this place is by a boat ride to Gberefu island and the a 25 mins. Walk to the point.
End The Day At The Beach
After touring these historical places, it’s only right you unwind and have a nice time at any of Badagry’s beaches. The unique thing about the beaches in Badagry is their serenity. You can either visit the Suntan Beach or the Coconut beach.
