- The artifacts are expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year
The Netherlands has announced plans to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking a significant advancement in the global effort to repatriate looted cultural artifacts.
A statement from the Dutch embassy in Nigeria detailed that Dutch Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Eppo Bruins, and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Director-General, Olugbile Holloway, will formalize the transfer agreement on Wednesday.
The artifacts are expected to arrive in Nigeria later this year. Of the 119 pieces, 113 are part of the Dutch State Collection, while six are held by the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Minister Bruins emphasized that this restitution aims to address historical injustices still resonating today. Similarly, Mr. Holloway hailed the return as a historic milestone, expressing hope that it sets a precedent for other nations to follow in repatriating looted cultural heritage.
This move aligns with recent actions by countries like Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which have also begun returning Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. However, institutions such as the British Museum, which holds a substantial collection of these artifacts, have yet to commit to their return, citing legal constraints. citeturn0search0
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