The Netherlands has officially returned 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in a major act of restitution. This is an important step in the global effort to bring back artefacts that were taken during colonial times. The return ceremony was held at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos, where important figures, historians, and cultural leaders came together to witness what is seen as a “spiritual homecoming” of Nigeria’s lost heritage.
Olugbile Holloway, the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), said that the return is very meaningful and culturally significant. He stated, “The artefacts represent the spirit and identity of the people from whom they were taken.” He also urged the world to treat Nigeria with “fairness, dignity, and respect.”
These artefacts, which date back to the 16th to 18th centuries, were taken in 1897 during a British military campaign that invaded the Kingdom of Benin, now part of southern Nigeria. This invasion forced the king, Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, into exile, and countless sacred items were stolen.
The Benin Bronzes include beautifully crafted metal plaques, ivory tusks, ceremonial heads, and animal sculptures, all of which have deep cultural and historical meaning for the Benin people. Four of the returned artefacts are currently on display at the National Museum, while the rest will be sent to the palace of Oba Ewuare II, the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom.
“These art pieces are not just decorations,” Holloway said. “They tell the story of a people’s history, their achievements, governance, and beliefs.”
This handover comes after increasing calls for Western museums and governments to return looted African artefacts, and after years of Nigeria formally requesting the return of its cultural treasures. In 2022, 72 artefacts were given back from a museum in London and 31 from Rhode Island in the United States. Additionally, Holloway mentioned that Germany plans to return over 1,000 more Benin pieces, making this one of the largest repatriation efforts in Africa.
The Netherlands’ decision has received praise from culture advocates, historians, and human rights groups. It shows a growing recognition of the wrongs of colonialism and a desire to fix these historical injustices. A historian at the event emphasized that returning these artefacts is not just about correcting past wrongs; it’s also about rebuilding identity and shaping a better future.
As more pressure mounts on institutions like the British Museum, which still holds many Benin artefacts, many hope that other countries will follow the Netherlands’ example. The Benin Bronzes will now be cared for and shown to future generations, allowing Nigerians to reconnect with a rich history that they thought was lost forever.
