The Netherlands has officially returned 119 historic artefacts to Nigeria, nearly 130 years after they were looted by British forces during the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom, in what is now Edo State.

The collection – known as the Benin Bronzes – includes intricately crafted plaques, figures, and royal regalia dating from between the 15th to the 19th centuries. Most were housed in Dutch museums, including the Wereldmuseum in Leiden. Four items will remain there as part of a long-term loan agreement.

An official handover ceremony took place on Saturday, 21 June, at the National Museum in Lagos, with representatives from both countries present.

Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, described the occasion as a significant moment “for the pride and dignity of not just the Benin people, but the whole of Nigeria.”

Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, Dewi van de Weerd, hoped that the move would lay the “foundation for further cooperation between Dutch and Nigerian museums.

The repatriation is the largest physical return of Benin historical items to date, and forms part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reclaim looted heritage. Previous restitutions include objects from institutions in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Nigerian government has yet to announce the permanent home for the artefacts, though celebratory exhibitions are already underway in Lagos.

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