The Mary Slessor Home, located in Ekenge, Akpap Okoyong, in the Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, is a historic 19th-century residence and mission house established for the Scottish missionary Mary Mitchell Slessor. Originally a modest mud house built around 1880—affectionately known by locals as "fine pass all" (or "good pass all")—it was replaced in 1889 by a more permanent iron-sheet structure featuring a verandah, storage, and a parlour. The home served as her base, a shelter for twins she rescued from abandonment, an orphanage, and a centre for her work as the "Obongawan Okoyong" (Queen of Okoyong). Today, the site functions as a museum and living memory of her selfless service, bravery, and advocacy against harmful cultural practices.

Why You Should Visit

You should visit Mary Slessor Home in Okoyong to continue the journey of learning about Mary Slessor's life and her impact on the people of Cross River. She helped stop the killing of twins in the Akwa-Cross region of Nigeria, advocated for women’s rights, and also helped stop internecine conflicts. This house offers a different perspective on her work, as it was in this area that she made significant contributions to education and community development. Known locally as the “White Queen of Okoyong” (Obongawan Okoyong), Slessor lived and worked in this compound, which acted as a sanctuary for abandoned twins, a school, and a dispensary, effectively ending the practice of infanticide in the region. It is an important historical landmark among the tourist attractions in Cross River.