Lagos, Nigeria, June 21, 2025
In a landmark moment of cultural restitution and international cooperation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria has formally received 119 Benin Bronzes from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, marking the single largest repatriation of looted artefacts in the nation’s history.

The official handover ceremony was held at the National Museum Onikan, Lagos, in the presence of government dignitaries, cultural stakeholders and international partners. This symbolic return represents not just the restitution of treasured artefacts but a significant step in the collective healing and historical reawakening of the Nigerian people.

Delivering her remarks at the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq described the repatriation as a profound act of justice and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s cultural sovereignty. “These artefacts are far more than artistic masterpieces. They are vessels of memory, pride and identity,” she said. “Their return signifies the restoration of a history long fragmented by colonial violence and injustice.”

The bronzes, including commemorative heads, plaques and ceremonial regalia, were forcibly taken during the British military expedition to the Benin Kingdom in 1897. Many were later sold and displayed in European institutions, including Dutch museums such as the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. After over a century of displacement, these treasured objects have now returned home.

The Honourable Minister commended the Dutch Government for their moral courage and commitment to truth and healing. She also paid tribute to the enduring spirit of the Benin Kingdom, stating, “Each piece tells a story, not only of the past but of our resilience, our cultural genius and our right to tell our own story through our own eyes.”

Reinforcing the alignment of this repatriation with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq emphasized that the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a pillar of national identity and economic regeneration. “Cultural restitution is not just a matter of the past,” she noted. “It is an investment in the future of our youth, a future rooted in pride, understanding and global recognition.”

Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway described the event as a collective victory, expressing appreciation to the Oba of Benin and all institutions involved. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to safeguarding and showcasing the bronzes for posterity, including plans to exhibit them at the forthcoming Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) in Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of the Oba of Benin, Iku Ewuare-Aimiuwu, daughter of His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, extended royal gratitude to all who played a role in making the return possible, describing the bronzes as sacred symbols of the Kingdom’s enduring spirit.

Also present at the ceremony was Ms. Dewi van de Weerd, Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation of The Netherlands, who acknowledged the significance of cultural heritage in shaping identity and fostering international solidarity. “When a people understand their roots,” she said, “they are empowered to shape their future with purpose.”

The Honourable Minister reiterated Nigeria’s ongoing call to the global community to uphold the principles of the UNESCO 1970 Convention and return all illicitly acquired cultural properties. “This is a clarion call to museums and institutions worldwide. Join us in rewriting a more honourable and inclusive history,” she declared.

As Nigeria celebrates this triumph, the return of the Benin Bronzes stands not only as a symbolic act of reconciliation but as a renewed promise, one of hope, restoration and rightful legacy.