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3mo ago

Cambridge Faces Renewed Calls to Return Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

Nigerian authorities clarify custodianship, promising museum display for the looted artifacts.

Benin art objects and bronzes are pictured at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, June 29, 2022. Picture taken June 29, 2022. REUTERS/Louisa Off/File Photo
An employee poses as he views examples of Benin bronzes which, together with collections such as the Parthenon sculptures, are the subject of talks of their return to countries of origin, displayed at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
Examples of Benin bronzes which, together with collections such as the Parthenon sculptures, are the subject of talks of their return to countries of origin, are displayed at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

Overview

  • Cambridge University pledged in 2022 to return 116 Benin Bronzes looted during a British expedition in 1897 but delayed the process over custodianship concerns in 2023.
  • A 2023 decree by then-president Muhammadu Buhari granted ownership to the Oba of Benin, raising concerns about private collection storage and stalling agreements with institutions like Cambridge.
  • Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) now holds responsibility for the bronzes, with the Oba's approval for their conservation and public display in a museum.
  • The NCMM emphasizes the return of the bronzes as a step toward restoring the dignity of Nigeria and addressing historical injustices from 1897.
  • Recent progress includes renewed negotiations with Cambridge and the Netherlands' commitment to return 119 Benin artifacts, signaling broader momentum for repatriation efforts.