ABUJA/Nigeria: Nigeria has reaffirmed its leadership role in the global campaign for reparations and the return of looted cultural heritage, as Senator Ned Nwoko hosted African ambassadors and diplomatic representatives at a high-level consultative forum in Abuja.
The gathering, convened by the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, brought together key envoys to deliberate on a unified African approach to addressing the historical injustices of slavery, colonialism, and the systemic plundering of the continent’s artifacts.
Senator Nwoko, who chairs the Senate committee, described the meeting as a pivotal step toward confronting Africa’s painful past and forging a cohesive strategy for restitution and justice. In a statement released via his official Facebook page, he wrote: “I had the honour of welcoming African Ambassadors in Nigeria to a consultative forum by the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriations. Together, we examined Africa’s shared historical wounds and explored unified approaches to demand restitution, repatriation, and justice for centuries of exploitation and displacement.”
He emphasized that the conversation around reparations has shifted from the margins to the mainstream of Africa’s moral and diplomatic agenda. “Reparations are no longer a fringe conversation,” Senator Nwoko said. “They are central to Africa’s global assertion, morally grounded and diplomatically urgent.”
Addressing the diplomats, he added that their presence at the forum signified “African solidarity and a shared submission that our African continent must confront the painful legacies of the past.”
The Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation was inaugurated to champion Nigeria’s legislative and diplomatic drive in seeking justice and redress from former colonial powers. Its broader mandate includes fostering collaboration with other African nations to present a united front on the repatriation of looted cultural heritage and demands for financial compensation.
The Abuja consultation marks the beginning of continent-wide engagements, with future forums expected to include historians, legal scholars, civil society actors, and traditional leaders to deepen and strengthen the collective advocacy.
Senator Nwoko underlined the importance of unity in this endeavor. “Africa must speak with one voice,” he said. “This is not just a political mission; it is a moral imperative to restore dignity and seek justice for our people.”
Diplomats in attendance welcomed the initiative, pledging their support for the committee’s vision and expressing readiness to collaborate closely with Nigeria to craft a coherent and impactful African position on reparations and repatriation.
