The Netherlands authorities have agreed to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.
The Dutch embassy in Nigeria disclosed this in a statement.
According to the embassy, the transfer agreement will be signed today at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, the Netherlands, where the Benin Bronzes were previously displayed.
“The Netherlands is returning the Benin Bronzes unconditionally, recognising that the objects were looted during the British attack on Benin City in 1897, and should have never ended up in the Netherlands,” the statement said.
It added that the Dutch minister of education, culture, and science, Mr Eppo Bruins and the director general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr Olugbile Holloway will sign the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.
The embassy also stated that the artefacts are expected to arrive in Nigeria later in the year with the restitution underscoring the strong partnership between the Netherlands and Nigeria.
In his remarks, Bruins noted that the action was part of steps to redress a historical injustice that is still being felt today.
“The 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.
“We congratulate Nigeria for being at the forefront of efforts to reclaim colonial looted art. 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 with Nigeria,” he stated.
Ambassador-designate of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Bengt van Loosdrecht, in his comments, explained that the restitution was a testament to the enduring strength of the partnership with Nigeria.
“We congratulate Nigeria for being at the forefront of efforts to reclaim colonial looted art. For over 50 years, Nigeria has advocated for the return of the Benin Bronzes. This restitution is a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership with Nigeria,” he added.
For his part, Holloway highlighted the significance of the return, pointing out that the return of 119 objects from the Netherlands will represent the single largest return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.
“The return of 119 objects from the Netherlands will represent the single largest return 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,” he said.
Of the 119 objects being returned, 113 were part of the Dutch State collection, while the remaining six were given back by the Municipality of Rotterdam.
