Netherlands Commits to Returning Over 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

Fri Jul 18 2025 19:53:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Netherlands Commits to Returning Over 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

A groundbreaking repatriation effort marks a significant step towards addressing colonial injustices as the Netherlands prepares to return historic artefacts to their rightful home.


The Netherlands is set to return 119 Benin Bronzes, looted during the 1897 British expedition, in the largest such repatriation to Nigeria. This move underscores the ongoing discourse surrounding colonial-era artefacts and sets a precedent for others, including the British Museum, amidst mounting calls for restitution.


The Netherlands has announced its decision to return more than 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, which were looted by British troops during their violent invasion of Benin City in the late 19th Century. The decision involves the repatriation of 119 artefacts that currently reside at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. These items, including sculptures, carvings, tusks, and an ivory mask, hold immense cultural and spiritual significance for the descendants of the Benin Kingdom.

Olugbile Holloway, director-general of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), described this as the largest return of Benin antiquities to Nigeria. The artefacts were originally taken during the sacking of Benin City in 1897, sold to various private collectors and museums, and have been the subject of ongoing debate regarding their rightful ownership.

A formal agreement for the repatriation is set to be signed on Wednesday, with Holloway expressing hopes that this action will inspire other nations to follow suit. This act of restitution is part of a broader movement, as Germany returned over 20 Benin bronzes in 2022 to confront its colonial legacy. Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science Eppo Bruins emphasized that the return was a step towards addressing historical injustices that continue to resonate today.

The Benin Bronzes, valued for their artistic production and historic relevance, serve as a painful reminder of colonial exploitation for many in Nigeria. In parallel with this return, the NCMM has made requests to various museums worldwide to return looted artefacts, especially the British Museum, which holds around 900 Benin items. Yet, legal restrictions prevent such returns from becoming a reality.

Nigeria has ambitious plans to open the Edo Museum of West African Art in 2026, designed by acclaimed architect Sir David Adjaye, where the largest concentration of Benin Bronzes will be housed. Ultimately, the return of these treasures represents not just the correction of past wrongs but also a commitment to preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

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