Netherlands to return stolen Benin bronzes to Nigeria in June, says FG
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments says Nigeria will receive some stolen Benin bronzes from the Netherlands in June.
Olugbile Holloway, director-general of NCMM, in a statement on Wednesday, said 119 Benin bronzes would be returned to Nigeria in batches as the nation began to receive the artefacts in June.
Mr Holloway said the circumstance surrounding the return was built on years of purposeful, joint pursuits and long-standing friendship of the two countries.
“NCMM wrote formally in September 2022, requesting an unconditional return of the Benin bronzes in the Netherlands. In July 2024 at the European Union and African Union conference in Ethiopia, the discussion on repatriation was reignited between the Netherlands and Nigeria.
“In November 2024, after several discussions, the recommendation of the independent Colonial Collections Committee was favourable and informed the Netherlands’s government decision to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria,” said the national museum official.
He added, “The return of the 119 objects will represent the single largest physical return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition, with the first batch scheduled to arrive in Nigeria by June.
“The circumstance surrounding this return is built on years of purposeful, joint pursuits and the long-standing friendship of our nations. This is witnessed in regular engagements in diplomatic consultations on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.”
Mr Holloway noted that the Netherlands’ fair-mindedness was equally seen in the immense support of the Dutch embassy in Nigeria to the NCMM.
He said their work and support leading to this repatriation could not be overstated.
“The NCMM would like to take this opportunity to thank the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
“We also appreciate our honourable minister, Hannatu Musawa, for all the invaluable support rendered in making this significant development possible,” Mr Holloway stated.
(NAN)
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