Netherlands to return looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria

|Published 12:15 PM ET, Thursday February 20, 2025|

The Netherlands has agreed to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking a significant step in the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during the colonial era. These artifacts, including human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia, and a bell, were taken by British soldiers during the 1897 raid on the Kingdom of Benin, in present-day Nigeria. The majority of these pieces have been housed in the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden.

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The formal transfer agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, attended by Dutch Culture Minister Eppo Bruins and Olugbile Holloway, Director General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). Minister Bruins emphasized the importance of this action, stating, “Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”

This move aligns with a broader international trend of repatriating looted artifacts to their countries of origin. In recent years, countries such as Germany and the United States have undertaken similar actions. In 2022, Germany returned over 1,000 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, while U.S. institutions, including the Smithsonian and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, repatriated 31 bronzes the same year.

However, challenges persist. The British Museum in London, which holds the largest collection of Benin Bronzes, has yet to commit to their return, citing legal constraints.

The repatriation of these artifacts not only addresses historical injustices but also fosters cultural renaissance and international cooperation. As more institutions acknowledge the significance of returning cultural heritage, it sets a precedent for others to follow, contributing to the healing of historical wounds and the restoration of cultural identities.