History of Badagry in Lagos State Nigeria

 
Badagry, a coastal town in Lagos State, is often regarded as the cradle of civilization in Nigeria. Thought to have been founded in 1425 A.D., the town’s name is believed to have originated from a combination of its founder’s name—Agbedeh, a renowned farmer—and the word Greme, meaning “farm” in the Ogu (Egun) language. Over time, the original name Agbedegreme (Agbedeh’s farm) evolved, first to Agbedagari through linguistic distortion, and eventually to Badagry, as adapted by Yoruba settlers and European slave traders.

Badagry operates as a monarchy under the Wheno Aholuship, led by the Akran of Badagry and his seven white-cap high chiefs. These chiefs govern the town’s eight quarters: Ahovikoh, Boekoh, Jegba, Posukoh, Awhanjigo, Asago, Whalako, and Ganho. Each quarter and its ruling family played significant roles in the transatlantic slave trade, engaging extensively with European and Brazilian traders.

In the early 1600s, Badagry was known for its vibrant salt trade. However, this legitimate trade was soon overshadowed by the transatlantic slave trade. For nearly 400 years, the slave trade dominated the town’s economy. Portuguese slave merchant George Freemingo is believed to have arrived in the 1660s, and by 1740, Badagry had become a key hub for the export of slaves through its creeks and lagoons.

Efforts to end the slave trade gained momentum in March 1852, when a treaty abolishing the trade was signed between British representatives and Badagry chiefs. Cannons were donated to the chiefs to defend the coastline from other European slave traders who defied the agreement. Despite the treaty, illegal slave trading persisted, with Brazilians becoming the primary participants. It wasn’t until 1888 that the last slave ship departed Badagry for Brazil, marking the end of the era both locally and globally.

Following the decline of the slave trade in the 1840s, Badagry became a focal point for Christian missionary activity. In 1842, Reverend Thomas Birch Freeman preached the first Christian sermon in Nigeria under the famed Agiya Tree. The following year, he celebrated the first Christmas in the country at the same location. Though the original 160-foot Agiya Tree fell in 1959 during a storm, a monument now marks the historic site.

Badagry also holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Western education in Nigeria. The first primary school in the country was established in 1843 by the Wesleyan Mission and was called the Nursery of Infant Church. This institution later evolved into St. Thomas’ Anglican Nursery and Primary School, founded by Reverend Golmer of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in 1845, and operated from within Nigeria’s first storey building—also located in Badagry.

The town continued to develop educational and religious institutions until 1955, when the missionaries abruptly departed following a dispute with the locals. In 1863, Badagry was annexed by the British and incorporated into the Lagos Colony, later becoming part of Nigeria in 1901.

Badagry’s history is deeply intertwined with the early stages of civilization, colonialism, Christianity, and education in Nigeria, making it a town of enduring historical significance.