Reparations: Nigerian Cleric Urges U.S. President to Convene Global Conference on African Slavery

By Tony Okafor, Awka

A Nigerian cleric and founder of the Universal Prayer Fellowship, Evangelist Dr. Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, has called on the President of the United States to initiate a global reparations process for Africa over the transatlantic slave trade.

In an open letter addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Peace at the White House in Washington, D.C., Ezenwafor described the centuries-long slave trade as a “heinous crime against humanity” whose consequences continue to affect African societies.

He argued that the time had come for Western nations that benefited from the trade to acknowledge their historical roles and support a structured programme of restitution and development for affected communities in Africa.

The cleric stated that the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned from the late 15th to the 19th century, led to the shipment of millions of Africans to Europe and the Americas.

According to him, the trade depleted the continent’s workforce, disrupted traditional social systems and contributed to long-term poverty and instability across West and Central Africa.

He said the demand for enslaved Africans by European powers, including Portugal, Spain, Britain, France and the Netherlands, triggered widespread violence, raids and kidnappings, which destroyed many communities and cultural institutions.

Ezenwafor further noted that the legacy of slavery and colonialism, he said, played a major role in shaping global economic inequalities and the development gap between Africa and Western nations.

He also highlighted psychological and cultural effects, including loss of identity and self-worth among affected populations.
He therefore urged the U.S. government, given its global leadership role, to convene an international conference on reparations.

According to him, such a forum would bring together all countries historically linked to the slave trade to assess their responsibilities and make voluntary contributions to a global reparations fund.
He proposed that the fund should be managed by an independent international board responsible for implementing projects in affected African communities.

These projects, he said, should focus on infrastructure, education, economic empowerment and cultural restoration.

The cleric also suggested that the reparations process could be structured over a long period to ensure sustainable funding and accountability.

He added that contractors and supervisors of projects should operate independently of local governments to minimise corruption and ensure transparency.

Ezenwafor expressed optimism that such measures would help heal historical wounds, restore dignity and improve living conditions in Africa. He also linked the issue to migration, arguing that development driven by reparations could reduce irregular migration from Africa to Western countries.

He concluded by urging Western nations to embrace justice, equity and fairness by addressing the historical injustices of slavery and colonial exploitation.

Global calls for reparations for slavery and colonialism have gained attention in recent years, with advocacy groups, scholars and some governments pushing for official apologies, financial compensation and development partnerships.

However, the issue remains politically sensitive and continues to generate debate across Africa, Europe and the Americas.