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The Netherlands has officially returned 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in one of the largest restitutions of African artefacts to date. The collection includes human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia, and a ceremonial bell. The handover took place at the National Museum in Lagos during a solemn ceremony attended by Nigerian officials and representatives of the Benin royal household.
Background of the Benin Bronzes Restitution
The Dutch government first announced plans to return more than 100 artefacts in February 2025 after sustained diplomatic talks with Nigeria. On June 18, officials in The Hague confirmed that the legal transfer of ownership had been completed, clearing the way for the Lagos ceremony.
At the event, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) received the bronzes on behalf of the Nigerian government. Princess Iku Ewuare-Aimiuwu represented her father, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin. She described the restitution as a “divine intervention” that restored dignity to the Benin Kingdom and fulfilled the hopes of past monarchs.
Nigerian Leaders and Custodianship
The Oba of Benin praised those who championed the campaign, while also acknowledging the efforts of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu. Both administrations supported negotiations and pledged to safeguard the artefacts.
In 2023, the Nigerian government issued a presidential gazette naming the Oba of Benin as the rightful custodian of all returned artefacts. The NCMM will manage conservation and interim display, while a Benin Royal Museum in Benin City is being planned as their permanent home.
Historical Context
The Benin Bronzes to Nigeria mark a powerful moment in global restitution efforts. The artefacts were looted in 1897 during a British punitive expedition and later dispersed across European and American collections. Their return from the Netherlands follows similar moves by Germany, the UK, and the US, signaling a wider reassessment of colonial acquisitions.
Significance of the Return
Nigerian cultural officials described the restitution as both cultural and moral justice. Dutch museum directors presented it as part of a broader effort to reevaluate colonial-era collections.
For the Oba of Benin, however, the homecoming carries deep meaning: “These artefacts are not just art, they are living history, the soul of our people,” he said through his representatives. “Their return is a triumph of truth, resilience, and justice.”
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