In 1861, Britain annexed Lagos as a colony, establishing formal control over this strategic West African port to suppress the slave trade and expand commercial influence. The move marked deeper imperial involvement in Nigeria. It shaped colonial histories and postcolonial poetry addressing themes of resistance, cultural disruption, and the African diaspora.

The British acquisition of Lagos in 1861 was a pivotal moment in West African imperial narratives, influencing poets like Ayi Kwei Armah. This event prompted reflections on colonialism and anti-slavery sentiments, shaping the discourse in poetry that addressed the complexities of identity and resistance.