The Netherlands has announced plans to return over 100 Benin Bronzes that were taken from Nigeria during a British military expedition in the late 19th century. These artefacts later became part of a Dutch museum’s collection.
Thousands of these historically significant pieces were seized in 1897 when British forces invaded and destroyed Benin City, now part of Edo State in southern Nigeria.
Following the raid, many of the treasures were sold off—some ending up in private hands, while others were acquired by institutions such as the Wereldmuseum in the Netherlands, where they have been exhibited for years.
Olugbile Holloway, the director-general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), described the return of 119 artefacts as the “largest repatriation of Benin antiquities.”
Although widely referred to as “bronzes,” the collection is diverse, featuring not just metal sculptures but also carved tusks, royal statues, and a detailed ivory mask. These pieces were created between the 1400s and 1800s.
A formal handover agreement is set to be signed on Wednesday. Mr. Holloway expressed hope that this step would encourage other nations to follow suit.
Germany made history in 2022 by becoming the first country to return over 20 Benin Bronzes, acknowledging its role in “dark colonial history.”
“With this return, we are contributing to the redress of a historical injustice that is still felt today,” said Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science Eppo Bruins, reports the AFP news agency.
Renowned for their artistic brilliance and craftsmanship, these sculptures hold deep cultural and spiritual value for the people of southern Nigeria.
The loss of these treasures remains a painful reminder of the violent colonial past for the descendants of the ancient Benin Kingdom.
This development could add pressure on institutions worldwide—particularly the British Museum, which holds more than 900 Benin Bronzes—to return looted artefacts.
Campaigners have staged demonstrations outside the British Museum, demanding the return of these historical pieces.
However, British law currently prevents the museum from permanently removing items from its collection.
For many Nigerians, the Benin Bronzes symbolize the brutality and exploitation of colonial rule.
The NCMM has submitted official requests to museums across the world, calling for the repatriation of more artefacts.
Nigeria has announced plans to open the Edo Museum of West African Art in Benin City in 2026. Designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the museum is expected to house the most extensive collection of Benin Bronzes ever assembled.
