The Netherlands government has announced the repatriation of 113 Benin Bronzes from its collection to Nigeria.
In a press statement on February 19, it was announced after a request from the Nigerian government, Eppo Bruins (Minister of Culture, Education and Science) made the decision to return the Benin Bronzes. The statement also acknowledged that the statues were part of the sculptures stolen during the British expedition into Benin in 1897, and eventually found themselves as part of the Dutch collection.
The statement also said: “The return of these objects is the result of intensive cooperation between experts and representatives of both countries.” The cache to be returned include figurines, plaques and personal ornaments. It is currently housed at Wereldmuseum Leiden. Apart from the repatriation of the sculptures, the agreement also includes collaboration and consultation between the two countries on the matters of cultural heritage.
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The Nigerian government has been elated with the decision. Olugible Holloway (Director-General of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments) called the repatriation by the Netherlands “the single largest of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition. We thank the Netherlands for their cooperation and hope this will set a good example for other nations of the world in terms of repatriation of lost or looted antiquities.” Eppo Bruins, in a separate statement, also said: “This restitution contributes to redressing a historical injustice that is still being felt today. Cultural heritage is essential for telling and living the history of a country and a community. The Benin Bronzes are indispensable to Nigeria. It is good that they are going back.”
