By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Badagry point of no Return monument structure and Zhengzhou Liuzhuang Urban Development Museum in Henan Province, China |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The reconstruction of the historic "Point of No Return" monument on Gberefu Island, Badagry, has hit a major snag following allegations that the architectural design may be a replica of a Chinese structure.
Dr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku, Chairman of the Badagry Local Government Tourism Committee, has raised an urgent alarm today on The Nation Newspaper regarding the potential breach of intellectual property rights.
The monument, a significant heritage site marking the dark era of the transatlantic slave trade, has undergone a long-delayed reconstruction effort under the Lagos State government. However, Dr. Olaide-Mesewaku has pointed to growing concerns that the current design mirrors the Zhengzhou Liuzhuang Urban Development Museum in Henan Province, China—a project conceptualized by the China-based firm, Hyp-Arch Consultants.
According to Dr. Olaide-Mesewaku, online sources suggest the design currently being executed in Badagry is a striking match to the Chinese museum, which was refurbished and completed in 2022. While the two structures differ in construction materials and local interpretation, the conceptual origin has sparked fears of a plagiarism scandal that could have significant legal and reputational consequences for the state.
"Intellectual property is a valuable asset in the tourism industry," Dr. Olaide-Mesewaku stated in an article published by The Nation. "Original concepts, master plans, and architectural designs are the products of significant research, expertise, and investment. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that these works are acquired lawfully and that their creators receive appropriate recognition and protection".
The Chairman warned that if the allegations of design theft are proven true, the state could face more than just financial losses. He noted that such a discovery might undermine confidence in government procurement processes, discourage genuine innovators, and expose Lagos to potential international legal disputes.
He urged the Lagos State Government to pause and conduct a thorough verification of the project's conceptual ownership before releasing further funds. "If this allegation is found to be grounded in fact, it has the potential not only to expose the State to legal disputes but to undermine confidence in the government’s procurement process," he warned.
Rather than viewing this as merely a crisis, Dr. Olaide-Mesewaku suggests it serves as a critical "opportunity for the State Government to overhaul the present concept." He advocates for a design that is authentic to the Gberefu narrative the ancient slave port and which projects Badagry as a "real concrete memory community for the pedagogic benefit of humanity".