A Royal Quest: The Return of the Benin Bronzes

Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments is tasked with recovering and conserving the Benin Bronzes. Signed into decree by former President Buhari in March 2023, the Oba of Benin is the rightful owner. Efforts are underway to establish a museum and finalize repatriation agreements.

Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments is taking charge of retrieving and preserving the invaluable Benin Bronzes. The country is actively working to repatriate these artefacts, seized by British soldiers from the Kingdom of Benin in 1897.

In a significant decree by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2023, the Oba of the ancient Benin Kingdom was affirmed as the rightful owner of the bronzes, making him responsible for their management and conservation.

Olugbile Holloway, head of the commission, emphasized the joint efforts with the Oba to build the Benin Royal Museum. Although infrastructure is currently lacking, dialogues with entities like Cambridge University are ongoing to ensure the return of these treasures, affirming their cultural dignity and correcting historical injustices.