Netherlands to Return Over 100 Benin Looted Bronzes to Nigeria as British Museum Refuses to Return Ones in Custody
Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that in a move towards rectifying historical wrongs, and also acknowledging Nigeria’s long-standing efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage, the Netherlands has agreed to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, according to a statement released by the embassy earlier this week.
OTN News further reports that the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Eppo Bruins, in a statement noted that the artefacts, which include items from the Dutch State Collection and the Municipality of Rotterdam, are expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year.
OTN News recalls that in 2023, the Federal Government officially recognised the Oba of Benin as the rightful custodian of the artefacts.
According to Bruins, the return of the Benin Bronzes was a move toward rectifying historical wrongs, acknowledging Nigeria’s long-standing efforts to reclaim its cultural heritage.
Bruins further expressed his admiration for Nigeria’s leadership in the fight to recover colonial-era looted art, adding that the restitution, was a reminder of the importance of cultural heritage in understanding a nation’s history.
According to him, “the restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today."
"We congratulate Nigeria for being at the forefront of efforts to reclaim colonial looted art. For over fifty years, Nigeria has advocated for the return of the Benin Bronzes. This restitution is a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership with Nigeria,” he stated.
OTN News observes that the Netherlands’ action followed similar moves by other countries, such as Germany and the United States, which have also returned Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in recent years.
OTN News recalls that Germany returned 1,030 Benin Bronzes in 2022, while the United States saw three museums return 31 items in the same year. The Horniman Museum in London also returned 72 pieces to Nigeria.
However, the British Museum, which holds the largest collection of Benin Bronzes, has so far refused to return them, citing legal restrictions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, the Netherlands, the minister said, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, celebrated the return as a historic achievement, noting that these 119 objects represent the most extensive return of artefacts directly linked to the British punitive expedition of 1897.
Holloway however, thanked the Netherlands for its cooperation and expressed hope that this would encourage other nations to follow suit in returning looted antiquities.
He said, “the return of 119 objects from the Netherlands will represent the most extensive return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.
“We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities,” he remarked.
OTN News further observes that the return of the artefacts raises important questions about where they should be housed to guarantee the safety of the African cultural heritage objects while ensuring there is no repeat of negative history.
The issue has sparked debate in Nigeria, with former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki and Oba Ewuare II of Benin having differing opinions on whether the artefacts should be kept in the Benin Royal Museum or the Edo Museum of West African Arts
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