The rich historical heritage of Badagry, one of Nigeria’s most significant sites connected to the transatlantic slave trade history, is at risk of being lost to neglect as key heritage sites, museums, and tourist infrastructure continue to deteriorate without meaningful government intervention. Community stakeholders and cultural custodians say roofs are leaking at the heritage museum, display artefacts are unprotected from the elements, and signage directing visitors to key sites has fallen and not been replaced. A traditional ruler who is a custodian of one of the slave route sites expressed deep frustration, saying that international visitors who make the journey are arriving to find a shadow of what the site once offered. Tour operators say bookings from educational and heritage tourism groups have declined. The Badagry LGA council and the Lagos State Tourism Board have both been written to on multiple occasions. Cultural groups are now calling on the federal government to declare Badagry a heritage preservation zone with dedicated funding.
