The Netherlands has agreed to return 119 stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, following a request by the Nigerian government. The artifacts, looted during the 1897 British punitive expedition, will be repatriated later this year.
The official transfer agreement was signed on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, Netherlands. The signing was conducted by Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Mr. Eppo Bruins, and the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr. Olugbile Holloway.
A Historic Restitution
A statement from the Netherlands Embassy in Abuja described the restitution as a testament to the strong partnership between both nations. The decision follows the recommendation of an independent expert committee and aligns with Dutch policy on returning cultural objects taken during the colonial era. Out of the 119 artifacts, 113 were part of the Dutch State Collection, while six were voluntarily returned by the Municipality of Rotterdam.
“The Netherlands is returning the Benin Bronzes unconditionally, recognizing that these objects were looted during the British attack on Benin City in 1897 and should have never ended up in the Netherlands,” the statement read.
Significance of the Return
Dutch Minister Eppo Bruins emphasized that the restitution is a step toward redressing historical injustices.
“Cultural heritage is essential for telling and preserving the history of a nation and its people. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria, and it is right that they return home,” he said.
The Ambassador-designate of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Bengt van Loosdrecht, congratulated Nigeria on its long-standing efforts to reclaim its looted treasures.
“For over fifty years, Nigeria has advocated for the return of the Benin Bronzes. This restitution is a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership,” he stated.
Largest Direct Restitution of Benin Antiquities
NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway described the return as the largest single repatriation of Benin artifacts directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.
“We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this sets a precedent for other nations to follow in repatriating lost or looted antiquities,” Holloway said.
The Wereldmuseum Leiden, where the Benin Bronzes were previously displayed, expressed its commitment to ongoing collaboration with Nigeria.
“We see this return not as the end of a process, but the beginning of a deeper cooperation between museums in Nigeria and the Netherlands,” the museum stated.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The signing ceremony was attended by several high-profile figures, including:
- Mr. Babatunde Adebiyi, Legal Director of NCMM
- Mrs. Nnenne Ebere Ebekaku, Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in the Netherlands
This restitution marks a major milestone in the global movement for the repatriation of African cultural heritage and reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in reclaiming looted artifacts.
