Badagry

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Badagry (traditionally Agbadarigi) is a coastal town and Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border with Benin. As of the preliminary 2006 census results, the municipality had a population of 241,093.[1]

[edit] Founding and early history

Nigeria's first Christian Mission in Badagry. This is located at the museum of slavery
Nigeria's first Christian Mission in Badagry. This is located at the museum of slavery

Founded in the early 15th Century on a lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, its protected harbour led to the town becoming a key port in the export of slaves to the Americas. From the 1840s, following the suppression of the slave trade, Badagry declined significantly, but became a major site of Christian mission work. In 1863, the town was annexed by the United Kingdom and incorporated into the Lagos colony. In 1901, it became a part of Nigeria.

Badagry subsists largely on fishing and agriculture,and maintains a small museum of slavery. It is also one of many Nigerian locations from which the infamous "Nigerian Scan" originates.

[edit] Links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Federal Republica of Nigeria Official Gazette, published 15 May 2007, accessed 8 July 2007

Coordinates: 6°25′N, 2°53′E