The Nigerian Government has confirmed that Germany is to return over 1,000 looted Benin bronzes which are in German public museums to the country. The authorities also said that they will continue to vigorously pursue the repatriation of looted Nigeria’s artefacts from abroad.
President Buhari made this disclosure as he received the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, accompanied by members of the Royal Court of Benin and the Board of Trustees of the Benin Royal Museum in Abuja.
The President expressed delight that the return of the artefacts has brought immense goodwill and acclaim to Nigeria, the ancient Benin Kingdom as well as happiness to the traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom.
The president also acknowledged that Nigeria has the best ancient arts especially from Benin, Ife, Nok and Igbo-Ukwu which were illicitly taken away, particularly during the colonial period.
The President emphasised that these great cultural and artistic works are records of history, and declared that Nigeria cannot permit these great works to become properties of others, adding that his administration has made it an important task to ensure the return of the artefacts.
He assured the monarch that his administration will continue in this great cause with his support and that of other traditional rulers, adding that in furtherance to the efforts, an agreement between Nigeria and Germany was being prepared.
‘‘In furtherance to these efforts, an agreement between Nigeria and Germany is currently being prepared. When concluded, it will signify the return to Nigeria by Germany of all the 1,130 Benin Bronzes in Germany’s public museums. This will be a monumental achievement”, he said.
‘‘Furthermore, on the 7th of this month, the Glasgow City Council agreed to return 17 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The legal issues are in the process of being sorted out. Other success stories include the return by the Netherlands in October 2020 of a 600-year-old Ife Terracotta.
“The return in April 2021 of a bronze piece from Mexico; as well as the repatriation, in November 2021, of two Benin Bronzes and an Ife Bronze head from the Metropolitan Museum, New York”, he said.
Buhari stated that following his administration’s determined efforts, Nigeria is now regarded to be in the forefront of the global struggle to repatriate illicitly exported artefacts back to their countries of origin.
The President equally acknowledged the efforts of officials of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments currently working with the Oxford University, the Great North Museum of Newcastle University, Rhode Island School and numerous other places on the modalities for the return of Nigerian antiquities, particularly the Benin Bronzes.
Buhari expressed optimism that with strategic and careful planning as well as management, Nigeria can generate revenue from the repatriated antiquities.
‘‘We look forward to a future when these returned antiquities and our arts and culture shall be deployed in generating revenue for the nation. I am glad to hear that the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) are already working towards this by reaching out to other nations and cultural institutions on traveling exhibitions to showcase the rich culture of Nigeria through these antiquities. This can happen if officials in charge of these priceless artefacts take due care to maintain and preserve these treasures in good condition at all times,’’ he said.
The first class monarch while commenting told Buhari that his Royal Court has concluded plans with the NCMM to establish an ultramodern international standard Benin Royal Museum to house the Benin Bronzes and other artefacts for the purpose of preserving history, tourism and education.
‘We want to reassure Mr President that the Royal Court of Benin and NCMM are working closely to ensure safe custody, preservation and enhancement of these Benin bronzes and artefacts not only for their cultural and economic benefits, but more importantly towards the promotion of the tourism industry in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Oba Ewuare II gave assurance to Nigerians that the Benin Bronzes and artefacts represent the country’s cultural heritage in particular and Africa in general, stressing that royal court will hold these objects in trust as the original owners in conjunction with NCMM for the benefit of all.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in his own remarks assured that Nigerian Government would continue to assert its rights over all its antiquities around the world, adding that the country would not hesitate to implore nations, institutions, men and women of goodwill to see the unfairness in the affairs of one body holding on to the cultural property fashioned by the genius of another.
