- Netherlands to return 119 looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria
- Move hailed as "largest repatriation of Benin antiquities"
- Return may pressure British Museum to return its 900 Benin Bronzes
The Netherlands has announced plans to return more than 100 Benin Bronzes that were looted by British troops from Nigeria in the late 19th century. These culturally significant sculptures and carvings ended up in a Dutch museum following their theft during the violent destruction of Benin City, in what is now Edo State, Nigeria, in 1897.
The treasures, many of which were sold to private collectors or transferred to museums such as the Wereldmuseum in The Netherlands, have been displayed for decades. This repatriation of 119 artefacts marks the “largest repatriation of Benin antiquities,” according to Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
While the term “Benin Bronzes” suggests they are all made of bronze, the returned items include figurines, tusks, sculptures of Benin’s rulers, and even an ivory mask. These items, which date back to between the 15th and 19th centuries, hold immense spiritual and historical significance for the people of Nigeria.
A transfer agreement is set to be signed on Wednesday. Holloway expressed hope that this gesture would serve as a model for other nations to follow. “With this return, we are contributing to the redress of a historical injustice that is still felt today,” said Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science, Eppo Bruins, in an interview with the AFP news agency.
The Benin Bronzes are not only prized for their beauty and artistry but also carry deep emotional significance for the descendants of those from the ancient Benin kingdom, who still feel the pain of their theft. This development may increase pressure on other institutions, particularly the British Museum, which holds over 900 Benin Bronzes.
Protests and demonstrations outside the British Museum have called for the return of the stolen artefacts, but an act of parliament currently prevents their repatriation. For many Nigerians, the Benin Bronzes serve as a powerful symbol of the violence of colonialism.
The NCMM has formally requested the return of these artefacts from museums worldwide. Nigeria is also preparing to open the Edo Museum of West African Art in Benin City in 2026, designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, which will house the largest collection of Benin Bronzes ever assembled.
