Netherlands has formally handed over 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking the single largest repatriation of artefacts in the country’s history.
The artefacts which include commemorative heads and intricately crafted plaques were looted during the British invasion of the ancient Benin Kingdom in 1897.
The bronzes were later auctioned across Europe, with some finding their way into Dutch museums such as the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, where they had been exhibited for over a century.
The masterpieces were officially returned during a handover and signing ceremony held on Saturday at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the repatriation represented more than the return of cultural artefacts; it signified the restoration of national dignity.
Musawa said the artefacts eloquently reflected an era of unparalleled cultural brilliance, when bronze was transformed into intricate masterpieces that chronicled the history, customs, and aspirations of a proud people.
She described the return as a “testament to a narrative of recovery and hope for future generations of Nigerians, who must feel connected to a story and history that continue to bind us as a people.”
“They are the living embodiment of the soul and spirit of the Benin Kingdom.
“Each bronze carries with it a fragment of the story of our ancestors, our heritage, and our shared humanity.
“It is a testament to the resilience of a people whose history can no longer be told solely through the lens of loss,” she said.
Musawa also noted that the return aligned with the UNESCO 1970 Convention, which prohibits the illicit trade and retention of cultural property.
She called on the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts to reclaim its heritage.
She further commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support in ensuring the return of the artefacts, and praised the Dutch Government “for deciding to be on the right side of history, by correcting one that was littered with pain.”
The Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, described the handover as a collective victory that could not be credited to a single individual, agency, or government.
Holloway acknowledged that many more Benin artefacts remained in other museums abroad and disclosed that plans were already in place for the return of over a thousand bronzes from Germany.
“We just had a meeting last week with the German ambassador, also about the bronzes in Germany an extensive meeting,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Oba of Benin for trusting the NCMM with the management and movement of the returned artefacts.
“I will implore you all not to just look at them as physical objects.
“These are embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from whom they were taken.
“People must start to appreciate where they come from so they can tell their children the stories, and their children can tell their children,” Holloway said.
He confirmed that the returned bronzes would be preserved and displayed in Nigeria, with some destined for the Edo Museum of West African Art in Benin City.
The traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare II, expressed his delight at the formal handover, although the artefacts had already been presented at the palace a few days earlier before being placed in storage.
The monarch, represented by his first daughter, Princess Iku Ewuare-Aimiuwu, thanked the individuals and institutions that played a role in securing the return of the artefacts.
Dutch government officials, museum representatives, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s arts, tourism, and culture sectors were present at the event.
The Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation of the Netherlands, Dewi Van de Weerd, stated that the bronzes illustrated the dynamic history and culture of the Benin Kingdom, its people, and their interactions with other societies.
According to Van de Weerd, understanding one’s heritage is essential to shaping the future.
She affirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to continuing dialogue with other museums holding Nigerian artefacts in their collections.
