1652-1851: Lagos emerged as a critical slaving venue between 1815 and 1850, a period when much of the trans-Atlantic slave trade was conducted illegally.

1652-1851: Lagos emerged as a critical slaving venue between 1815 and 1850, a period when much of the trans-Atlantic slave trade was conducted illegally. The port’s unique location on a long lagoon provided excellent natural shielding that allowed traders to embark captives away from the sight of naval cruisers. During its peak years of operation, over 7,000 captives annually were shipped from Lagos to the American markets. After 1807, more than three-quarters of the vessels outfitted for the Lagos trade originated from ports in the Americas, particularly Brazil and Cuba.