In a historic move to restore looted African heritage, the Netherlands has returned 119 treasured artifacts known as the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. These priceless items, which include intricately crafted plaques, animal and human figures, royal regalia, and ceremonial objects, were officially handed over to Nigerian authorities in June 2025.
The artifacts were originally looted from the ancient Kingdom of Benin, now part of modern day Edo State in Nigeria, during a British military expedition in 1897. They had since been held in Dutch museums, particularly the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. Their return marks one of the most significant acts of restitution in African cultural history and reflects a growing global movement to address colonial-era injustices.
The repatriation was made possible through a bilateral agreement signed earlier in February 2025 between the Nigerian and Dutch governments. The ceremonial handover took place at the National Museum in Lagos and was attended by high-level officials, cultural representatives, and traditional leaders. Among them was Oba Ewuare II, the reigning monarch of the Benin Kingdom, who hailed the return as a divine act of justice and a powerful step toward restoring Nigeria’s cultural dignity.
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM, in collaboration with the Oba of Benin, will oversee the safe custody and future exhibition of the returned artifacts. For now, they will be stored at the Oba Ovonramwen storage facility in Benin City. Plans are underway to house them in the upcoming Benin Royal Museum and the Edo Museum of West African Art, which are being developed to preserve and showcase Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage.
This return follows similar actions by other Western nations such as Germany and the United Kingdom, who have also begun returning looted artifacts to their countries of origin. The Dutch government reaffirmed its commitment to righting historical wrongs and emphasized that the return of these artifacts is unconditional and permanent.
For Nigeria, this homecoming of the Benin Bronzes is more than a ceremonial act. It is a profound reclamation of identity, history, and sovereignty. It sends a strong message to the world about the importance of cultural justice and the need to return stolen heritage to its rightful owners.