Netherlands set to return 'stolen' Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

Netherlands has become the latest European country to return artefacts to Africa after it signed an agreement pledging to return 119 'stolen' historical artefacts to Nigeria after extensive consultation with its Colonial collections committee.

The Netherlands has signed a deal with Nigeria pledging to return at least 119 bronze artefacts looted from Nigeria in the 19th Century. 

The collection includes 113 bronzes that are part of the Dutch State Collection while the remainder will be returned by the Municipality of Rotterdam.

They were part of thousands of bronzes stolen from the then Benin Kingdom, which is present-day Edo state in Southwestern, Nigeria when it was attacked by British forces in 1897. 

According to a statement released by Wereldmuseum Leiden where some of the pieces are on display,  these objects were stolen from the Kingdom of Benin by British soldiers in 1897 and eventually ended up in the Dutch National Collection through trade. 

Present at the signing were the Nigerian Director General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments Olugbile Holloway and the Dutch Minister for Education, Culture and Science, Eppo Bruins. 

Bruins reacting at the signing said Heritage is essential for telling and experiencing the history of a country and community. The Benin Bronzes are therefore indispensable for Nigeria, it is good that they are going back.” while Olugbile Holloway was quoted as saying this would represent the single largest return of the ancient antiquities.

The return of ancient artefacts to Nigeria began in 2022, with Germany returning over 20 bronzes in a bid to deal with its “dark colonial history”.

This move may pressure other institutions to return the artefacts especially the British Museum which houses over 900 pieces of benin bronze.

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