Oba of Benin Receives 2 Looted Ancestral Stools from Germany

• The Oba of Benin received two looted royal stools, taken during the 1897 invasion, from the German government via NCMM
• NCMM’s Director-General pledged collaboration with the Benin Royal Court to showcase Edo heritage and repatriated cultural treasures

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has received two looted royal stools taken during the 1897 invasion of Benin City. These artefacts, which include bronze and wooden royal stools (Ekete), were originally taken during the reigns of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several centuries ago.

In 2022, the German government, on behalf of the Nigerian government, handed over the returned artifacts to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).

In a ceremony at the Benin palace, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, the Director-General of NCMM, presented the items to the Oba of Benin. He pledged to collaborate closely with the Benin Royal Court to elevate and showcase Edo heritage. He emphasized that as more Benin bronzes and other artworks are repatriated to Nigeria, the NCMM will work with the Royal Court to establish a prominent destination for global visitors to appreciate these cultural treasures.