Nigeria Receives 119 Stolen Benin Bronze From Netherlands in Largest Ever Repatriation of Stolen Benin Artefacts

Nigeria has received 119 stolen Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands in a landmark move considered the largest physical repatriation of stolen Benin artefacts since the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom.

Speaking during the handover of some of the Benin Bronzes at the National Museum in Lagos on Tuesday, Consul General of the Netherlands in Lagos, Michel Deelen, said, “This fits in exactly with our policy on stolen Benin artefacts. We have a policy on basically, let’s say, art that was stolen from the colonial era.

“With the Benin Bronzes, we know what happened to them. We know why they were taken out of Nigeria, and when they were taken out of Nigeria. So when you do the analysis, when you do the study, and that has been done in the Netherlands also, of this collection, the provenance of these objects, it was time for us to bring them back. And that is what the Dutch policy says. If it’s very clear that objects are stolen, taken under distress, then obviously we will return them to the rightful owner.” The return of these stolen Benin artefacts marks a significant step in the restoration of cultural heritage.

Strengthening Nigeria-Netherlands Relations

The Consul-General noted that the return of the stolen Benin artefacts is a reflection of the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

“Netherlands-Nigeria relations are good and have always been very good. President Tinubu visited the Netherlands last year with a high-ranking delegation, so that just shows the commitment on both sides. And I think if you’re good friends of each other, if you talk to each other openly, and one of the friends has something in his possession that belongs to another friend, and says, hey, by the way, this belongs to you, let me give it back to you. So I think, you know, as partners, as friendly countries, it’s a good thing for our relationship.” He said.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the historic achievement was attributed to years of strong ties between both countries.

Dr. Olugbile Holloway, DG of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM)  noted “On this historic occasion, it gives us great joy to finally welcome the return of 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands. This represents the largest physical return to Nigeria and the people of Benin since the looting of the Benin Royal Palace by the British in 1897. The symbolism of these stolen Benin artefacts cannot be overemphasized for the pride and dignity of not just the Benin people, but the whole of Nigeria.”

He also thanked His Royal Majesty the Oba of Benin for entrusting the NCMM with the artefacts, promising they will be preserved and displayed “with the utmost attention to detail.”

Plans For Returned Artefacts

The restitution follows a February 2025 decision by Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Eppo Bruins covering 119 items: 113 from the Dutch State Collection and six from the Municipality of Rotterdam, to return the Bronzes unconditionally as the artefacts were looted during the colonial-era sacking of Benin and should never have been taken.

Curator of the National Museum in Lagos, Nkechi Adedeji promised that the artefacts will be preserved properly in light of negative assumptions surrounding Nigeria’s capacity to care for its historical treasures.

“We want to lay to rest the myth that we can’t preserve our objects, we can’t take care of our objects. And then, you know, from time to time we’ve proved them wrong. And I’m glad that the Netherlands government deemed it fit, you know, to return 119 bronze objects. Four of them will be here in the museum, while the rest of these stolen Benin artefacts will go to the Oba’s Palace in Benin.”

An official handover ceremony will be held on June 21 at the National Museum in Lagos, marking the official conclusion of the repatriation effort and setting the stage for continued cultural cooperation between Nigeria and the Netherlands. Dignitaries expected to at the occasion include Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation of the Netherlands Dewi van de Weerd, the DG of the NCMM, the directors of the Wereldmuseum amongst other officials.

Subscribe to Notifications