Netherlands to Return 119 Looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The Netherlands has announced plans to return 119 Benin bronzes to Nigeria this month, marking one of the most significant cultural repatriations in the country’s history.

According to the Dutch embassy in Nigeria, the artefacts are scheduled to arrive during the week of June 16, with an official handover ceremony set for June 21 at the National Museum in Lagos.

Following the ceremony, the bronzes will be moved to the National Museum in Benin City, Edo State—their place of origin. This is believed to be the largest single repatriation of Benin bronzes by any country to date.

The artefacts were among thousands of sacred and ceremonial objects looted by British forces during the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom. Many were subsequently dispersed across European and North American museums and private collections.

In a February statement, the Dutch embassy acknowledged the bronzes should never have been taken from Nigeria. Bengt van Loosdrech, the ambassador-designate to Nigeria, noted that the country had been calling for their return for over 50 years.

This move is part of a broader international effort to address the legacy of colonial-era looting and return stolen cultural heritage to its rightful owners.