edited by G. O. OgunremiM. O. OpeloyeSiyan Oyeweso2023-11-132023-11-131994978 2137 - 24 - 3https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/944Badagry, founded around 1425 A.D., is populated by the Ogu (erroneously called Egun by the Yoruba) immigrants from Gold Coast (modern Ghana) Dahomey (modern Benin Republic) and Togo and the Awori, a Yoruba speaking race. Thus, making the town a bicultural a well as bilingual community. In view of its strategic location, Badagry has at different times played different roles of socio-economic importance in the course of its history. It was a frontier state sharing borders with the ancient Kingdoms of Dahomey and Port' Novo before the creation of the international boundaries. It was an important southern terminus during the trans-saharan trade and also a famous harbour for the notorious trans-Atlantic slave trade. In addition, it was a major market, a trading entrepot and a commercial centre serving the Aja and Yoruba countries. As a coastal town, it was the main port serving the Yoruba hinterland up to the second half of the 19th century. Badagry was the first base of the Christian missionaries in modern Nigeria as well as the first point of call of the explorers and the colonialists.Historical Studies; Theological Studies; Sociological Studies; Biographical StudiesenBook