Nigeria will get 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands in a historic cultural event, one of the biggest returns of stolen African treasures in recent memory. The formal transfer ceremony, which will mark the end of years of diplomatic discussions and professional cooperation between the two countries, will be held on June 21 at the National Museum in Lagos.
The return comes after Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science Eppo Bruins made the unqualified decision earlier this year to give the bronzes back to Nigeria. These items, which are a part of the Dutch State Collection, have long been at the heart of international demands for reparations after being looted during the British assault of Benin City in 1897.
High-ranking officials, including Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, and Dewi van de Weerd, the Netherlands’ Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, will attend the official handover in Lagos. The bronzes will be kept in storage at the National Museum in Benin City’s recently constructed NCMM Oba Ovonramwen storage facility for the time being, while the Nigerian government will decide how the artifacts will be displayed in the future. 
As part of the commemorations, both countries are co-hosting a digital heritage expert workshop, drawing participants from across West Africa. In addition, young contemporary artists from Benin City have curated an exhibition titled “Reclaiming Heritage: New Narratives”, currently on display at the National Museum in Lagos.
The return of the Benin Bronzes is seen as a major step forward in the global movement to restore African heritage and address the enduring legacy of colonial looting.
