In a significant development in the ongoing debate over the restitution of colonial-era artifacts, the Netherlands has formally returned 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.
Looted during the 1897 British raid on Benin, the objects spent over a century in Dutch museums. Their repatriation marks one of the most substantial single returns of Benin artifacts to date.
The transfer follows an agreement between the Dutch government and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). Of the 119 returned pieces, 113 were part of the Dutch State Collection, previously displayed at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, while six came from the Rotterdam Museum. The returned artifacts include bronze plaques, a ceremonial bell, and a royal staff, all of which hold historical and cultural significance.
During an official handover ceremony in the Netherlands, Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the NCMM, formally received the artifacts on behalf of the Nigerian government.
The Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Eppo Bruins, stated that the return reflects a commitment to addressing historical injustices.
“Cultural heritage should reside where it holds the deepest meaning. The return of these objects is a necessary step in that process,” Bruins said.
The repatriation aligns with a broader movement in Europe and the United States, where museums and governments are increasingly responding to demands for the return of looted artifacts. In recent years, Germany, France, and the United States have returned significant pieces to Nigeria. However, major institutions such as the British Museum, which holds the largest collection of Benin Bronzes, have yet to commit to full restitution, citing legal and institutional restrictions.
The returned artifacts will be housed in Nigeria’s national museums, though long-term plans for their display remain under discussion. With ongoing calls for further restitutions from former colonial powers, the Netherlands’ decision is seen as part of a wider shift in how nations address the legacy of colonial-era acquisitions.
