The Netherlands announced on Wednesday that they will return over 100 Benin Bronzes, looted by British troops at the end of the 19th century, to Nigeria.
In 1897, British soldiers stole these ancient sculptures, created between the 16th and 18th centuries by the Edo people in the former Kingdom of Benin, now part of modern-day Nigeria.
The treasures, which depict figures of the royal court, animals, and other symbolic elements, were sold and displayed at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden (centre-west).
“With this restitution, we contribute to rectifying a historical injustice that is still felt today,” said Dutch Minister of Culture, Education, and Science, Eppo Bruins.
The return of these 113 pieces is the largest restitution to Nigeria since the 1897 raid, according to Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
“We hope this will set a positive example for other countries worldwide,” said Mr Holloway in a statement.
In 2022, Germany began returning pieces from its own collections of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.
However, the British Museum in London has refused to return part of its renowned collection, citing a law passed in 1963 that prevents the museum from giving back such treasures.
