Ogun River

Ogun River shown here glides through Egba, Ijebu towns into the Atlantic.
Ogun River shown here glides through Egba, Ijebu towns into the Atlantic. Photo: Jibolu Taiwo Family

Ogun River is the waterfront originating in the isolated area of Saki, adjoining the Oyo National Park and gliding through Ogun State to empty into the Lagos Lagoon. Weaponry needed for the defense of Abeokuta was transported from 1830 to 1890 through this river that was also used for trade and commerce. Toll barriers were erected at Iseri and Aro, along the river for collection of revenue in the days of the Egba United Board of Management (1865-98) and successive Egba United Government (1898-1914). The Ogun River provided the native government with negotiation power in its relation with colonial Lagos, being an important trade route connecting coasts of Lagos, Badagry, and Abeokuta. Traditionally, the river was supposed to have been formed when Efunkunmi, wife of the first monarch at the community of its origin broke a pot in protest against her husband whose search party attempted to seize. The pool of water, now having a capacity of 690 million cubic meters served as the route through which the Christian faith was introduced to Abeokuta and the rest of Nigeria.

Ogun River is seen at a distance here in this 19th Century photo of Abeokuta.
Ogun River is seen at a distance here in this 19th Century photo of Abeokuta. Source: 1913.missionnigeria.dk
Contributor:
Tope Apoola
Profession: Writer