HE Yemi Osinbajo to give the 3RD Africa World Lectures at AWI, Princeton, Nov. 13

Yemi Osinbajo, Photo courtesy, Mo Ibrahim Foundation

His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the immediate past Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will give the 3rd Africa World Lecture at Princeton University on Nov. 13, 2025. Since his tenure in Abuja, Osinbajo, an ardent advocate for innovation as driver of African development and futures, has keep a busy international profile. One of his most consequential recent appointments is his role as the Guardian of the UNDP-supported Timbuktoo African Innovation Foundation. He is presently leading the international election monitoring mission for the presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire this month. The previous lecturers were the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who gave the inaugural lecture (2023), and the Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah (2024). To register for the lecture and for online access, visit the Africa World Initiative website. 

On the Louvre Museum Robbery

I sympathize with the people of France for the theft of several objects of great value to their nation. This is a terrible thing. I understand that these objects were commissioned by their past rulers for themselves and their wives, though they have since become part of their national patrimony. So, when French commentators say that the theft of these treasures is like the stealing of France’s soul, I get it.

Two things though.

First, I hope the people of France, in the wake of this national hurt, can now understand what if feels like to have national treasures of West African societies looted by French agents in the age of empire, just a few generations ago. I hope they (and their European cousins) can understand the hurt they caused the people of Asante, Dahomey, Benin, etc., whose entire national treasures they carted away and now kept in their museums for the delight of their visitors.

Second, I hope the people of France can now see the hollowness, or rather insensitivity of reminding Africans ad nauseam how unsafe their museums and palaces are and, following from that, why Europe’s great museums are the only institutions fit for storing and displaying the world’s art and cultural heritage. Two years ago, it was the British Museum, this week, the Louvre. Are these museums safe places to keep Africa’s and the world's captive treasures?

Anyway, I hope they return the stolen treasures.

We all hurt.