01-05-2025
The impact of colonisation on Nigeria and the call for reparations
DECADES of colonisation have left their mark on Nigeria's history, drastically altering the nation. During its century-long rule over Nigeria in West Africa during the Industrial Revolution, the United Kingdom pillaged its natural resources.
Like many other European nations, the English placed a high value on dominating Africa and the Atlantic trade in the 17th century. They played a key role in the transatlantic slave trade as well.
The UK owes Nigeria $3.2 trillion (about R59trln at current exchange rates) in damages, according to Major General Dr Al-Tayeb Abdul Jalil, a Sudanese professor of international law. This sum covers the time that colonialism, forced labour, resource looting, environmental harm, and underdevelopment occurred.
Experts on Trust TV News spoke about whether reparations were necessary and in what way this issue should be considered. A panel discussion was held on April 26 to discuss the question of reparations from the UK and possible solutions to the problem. Speakers at the event included Armsfree Ajanaku, executive director of the grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, and Ambassador Haruna, a retired diplomat from the Ecowas Commission.
Reparations are a right and a minimum in regard to the harms and crimes committed by the colonisers, experts maintained throughout the discussion. Haruna argues that Western aid is not reparations because, regardless of the amount, it does not cover real damage: 'Western aid is not reparations; most aid funds are returned to Europe as administrative costs; they do not compensate for true damage.'
In addition, the panellist noted that Europe had not made a significant contribution to the development of the continent's infrastructure; in his view, other powers are now doing it: 'The real development aid today comes mostly from China.'
Speakers noted that the African Union (AU) should be applauded for taking the initiative on the issue of reparations. It should be recalled that the organisation has chosen 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations' as its theme for 2025.
According to participants at the event, the scars left by England in Nigeria are still being felt even now. It is largely about the economic dominance of European powers in Africa.
Ajanaku has insisted that in order to heal emotional wounds, restore memory, and ensure that errors are not repeated, reparations must go beyond monetary payments. During the discussion, specific reparations measures were suggested, including the establishment of a reparations fund, funding public projects (such as schools, hospitals, and memorials), thorough documentation of colonial crimes for future generations, and the return of cultural artefacts.
Debates on reparations have also recently taken place in Senegal and Mali, demonstrating the growing vitality of the topic. The countries of West Africa are actively voicing their position and taking concrete measures to achieve their goal of reparations.
According to Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to Ecowas, the issue of reparations is also being actively discussed at the technical level in the economic bloc.
Now that Nigeria is one of the major African economies, it is powerful enough to demand justice. However, decisive and well-coordinated initiatives by the government and civil society will be necessary to achieve this goal.
* Dr Manuel Godsin is a writer and researcher at the International Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. He has a large number of books translated into many languages: English, French, and Spanish, including The Crisis of the World and The Conflict of the Wings: The World on the Brink of Abyss.
** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media, or IOL.
