In a significant move to address the legacy of colonial-era looting, the Netherlands has agreed to return 119 cultural artifacts, known as the Benin Bronzes, to Nigeria. The artifacts, which were looted by British soldiers during the late 19th century from what is now Nigeria, will be sent back following a request from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments. This return marks a key moment in the global effort to repatriate cultural items that were taken during colonial times.
The Benin Bronzes, which include human and animal figures, plaques, royal regalia, and a bell, have been housed in the Netherlands, primarily in the Museum of Leiden. These items were stolen during the British military’s raid on the Benin Kingdom in 1897. In recent years, museums and governments in Europe and North America have increasingly recognized the need to return such looted objects to their rightful owners.
Olugible Holloway, the director of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, traveled to the Netherlands to sign the transfer agreement during a ceremony at the Museum Volkenkunde. Holloway expressed gratitude, stating that the return of the artifacts is the largest single repatriation of items looted from the Benin Kingdom. He also expressed hope that this action would set an example for other nations when it comes to returning stolen cultural heritage.
“This gesture is deeply appreciated, and we hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities,” Holloway said in a statement.
This return is part of a broader movement that began gaining momentum in the last few years. In 2022, Nigeria made formal requests to museums worldwide to return hundreds of artifacts. That same year, 72 items were repatriated from a museum in London, and another 31 were returned from a Rhode Island museum.
The Benin Bronzes have been the focal point of numerous restitution requests. These items were taken during the British expedition that resulted in the sacking of Benin City, which was part of the Kingdom of Benin, located in modern-day Nigeria. The Dutch collection’s return follows an evaluation by a committee that reviews restitution requests and recommends decisions based on the cultural significance and historical context of the artifacts.
Eppo Bruins, the Dutch Minister for Culture and Education, emphasized the importance of cultural heritage in shaping the identity of a nation and its people. “Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community,” Bruins said. “The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”
This move is part of a wider trend in Europe and beyond, where museums and governments are increasingly addressing the issue of cultural artifacts taken during colonial times. In 2023, for instance, Dutch museums returned hundreds of items to Indonesia and Sri Lanka, both of which were looted during the colonial era.
The return of these artifacts is an essential step toward restoring historical justice, and the Netherlands’ action is part of a growing global movement that acknowledges the need to correct colonial wrongs through the repatriation of looted cultural treasures.
