Early European Contacts With The coastal States

The first Europeans that arrived on the Nigerian coast were the Portuguese. And by 1472, an European, Ruy de Sequiera explored Benin and Biafra respectively.

However; another Portuguese visited the Benin Empire during the reign of Oba Ozolua who received him wholeheartedly and traded on pepper.

Again, in the early 16th century, the Portuguese extended their trading activities to the Itsekiri people of the Niger Delta area and later to Bonny and Calabar Rivers.

Thus, their major articles were prominently slaves, perfumes, beads, and glass among others.

Moreover, by the 18th century, they had extended to Lagos hinterland leading to Badagry and Lagos parts where they traded with people.

Note that the Europeans came in the 15th century.

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