Senate Hosts African Forum on Reparation, Repatriation of Stolen Artifacts
The Nigerian Senate on Monday hosted a high-level African forum on reparation and repatriation of stolen artifacts, bringing together diplomats and representatives from several African nations to discuss strategies for reclaiming looted cultural heritage and seeking reparative justice for colonial-era exploitation.
The event, which held at the National Assembly in Abuja, was organized by the Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, chaired by Senator Ned Nwoko. It featured participation from ambassadors of Egypt, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and other countries, with a unified call for Western nations and institutions to return stolen artifacts and pay reparations for historical injustices.
In his welcome address, Senator Nwoko described the forum as a crucial step toward justice, unity, and the restoration of African dignity.
He said the loss of Africa’s cultural identity through centuries of theft and displacement must be reversed through legislative action and continental solidarity.
Representing the Senate President, Senator Mohammed Tahir Mongunu declared the full support of the Nigerian legislature, stating that restitution and reparation had become central issues in global justice and must now receive institutional backing from African governments.
Egypt’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Fouad, called for the return of ancient Egyptian treasures still housed in European museums, noting that the continent’s identity continues to be commercialized abroad. He insisted that international institutions must be held accountable and new legal mechanisms created to compel returns.
Tanzania’s Ambassador, Selestine Kekele, praised recent efforts by Germany in returning human remains but noted that highly valuable objects, including rare fossils, are still being kept abroad. He proposed an expansion of the reparation movement to include Caribbean nations with similar colonial experiences.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Maxwell Ranga, called for reparations to go beyond the return of physical items. He emphasized the need for a new economic framework that addresses the structural consequences of colonial exploitation, urging African countries to demand both cultural and financial restitution.
Senator Ipalibo Banigo warned against politicizing the effort and urged African leaders to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves. She said recovering stolen heritage was not only about historical justice but also about preserving the future.
A moment of deep emotion emerged during the session when poet Rex Odoemenam delivered a spoken-word performance that captured the grief, strength, and hope of the African experience. The performance was met with a standing ovation, including strong commendation from Senator Victor Umeh.
Senator Nwoko announced that the Senate Committee will prepare a comprehensive legislative and policy document to guide Nigeria’s efforts in restitution and reparations, while also urging the African Union to take a more active role in international advocacy.
The forum came days after Nigeria received 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands, marking growing momentum in the global restitution movement. Participants stressed the importance of Africa speaking with one voice and engaging Western institutions with firm diplomatic and legal demands.
The Senate plans to institutionalize the forum as an annual platform for African governments, legal experts, and cultural leaders to coordinate action, with future editions expected to include broader representation from the diaspora and the Caribbean.
