In a major victory for cultural heritage restitution, the Netherlands has finalized an agreement to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The historic transfer follows years of diplomatic efforts and advocacy by Nigerian authorities.
A formal signing ceremony took place at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, where the artifacts had been displayed. The Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science and the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) formalized the transfer agreement, setting the stage for the bronzes’ return later this year.
In an official statement, the Dutch government acknowledged that the artifacts were looted during the 1897 British invasion of Benin City and should never have ended up in the Netherlands. Dutch Minister Eppo Bruins emphasized the significance of the move:
“This restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today. 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.”
The return of these artifacts marks the largest single restitution of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 punitive expedition. Nigerian officials, including NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway, welcomed the move, expressing hope that it would set a precedent for other nations in repatriating stolen cultural heritage.
“For over 50 years, Nigeria has advocated for the return of the Benin Bronzes. This restitution is a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership with the Netherlands,” said Dutch Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht.
The Dutch museum authorities echoed similar sentiments, highlighting their commitment to continued collaboration with Nigeria.
“We hope this return is not the end of a process, but the beginning of further cooperation between museums in Nigeria and the Netherlands,” they stated.
Among the 119 artifacts being returned, 113 belong to the Dutch State collection, while the remaining six were voluntarily returned by the Municipality of Rotterdam. The move aligns with Dutch policy on the restitution of colonial-era artifacts and follows recommendations from an independent expert committee.
The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Babtunde Adebiyi, NCMM’s Legal Director, and Nnenne Ebekaku, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in the Netherlands. With the artifacts set to arrive in Nigeria later this year, this restitution marks a significant milestone in the global conversation on decolonizing museum collections.
