Nigeria Receives Over 100 Looted Artefacts from the Netherlands
Lagos: On Saturday, the Netherlands officially returned 119 ancient sculptures to Nigeria, which had been removed from the former Kingdom of Benin more than 120 years ago during the colonial era.
This transfer represents another step in the repatriation of artifacts to Africa, responding to increasing calls for Western countries and institutions to return items obtained through colonial exploitation.
Nigeria celebrated the return of the priceless “Benin Bronzes”—metal and ivory sculptures created between the 16th and 18th centuries—with a ceremony at Lagos’s National Museum, where four pieces were showcased in the museum’s courtyard.
The exhibited artifacts included a bronze bust of a king, an elaborately carved elephant tusk, and a small figure of a leopard.
During the 19th century, British troops looted thousands of Benin Bronzes from what was then an independent Kingdom of Benin located in southern Nigeria.
These sculptures were taken from the royal palace and have since been displayed in museums and private collections across Europe and the United States.
The four artifacts on display will be incorporated into the museum’s permanent collection, while the remaining items will be returned to Oba Ewuare II, the traditional leader of Benin.
“These items embody the spirit and identity of their original community,” stated Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
He stressed during his address at the ceremony that “what we seek is fairness, dignity, and respect from the global community.” He also revealed that Germany has pledged to return over 1,000 additional Benin Bronze artifacts to Nigeria.
“The German government has formally signed an agreement to transfer these 1,000 Benin Bronzes back,” he mentioned.
Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art and Culture who signed the handover document alongside Dewi van de Weerd, Dutch ambassador for international cultural cooperation, remarked that “Nigeria must reclaim its history and heritage.”
She further noted that “the agreement with Germany underscores a growing worldwide commitment to addressing historical injustices and fostering mutual respect.”
