The National Council of Museums and Monuments (NCMM) said Nigeria will receive 119 plundered Benin bronzes from the Netherlands in June.
In 1897, during the British attack on the Kingdom of Benin, bronzes were plundered and found a way to go to the Netherlands.
Of the 119 objects returned, 113 are one of the collections of the Netherlands, while the city of Rotterdam returns the remaining six.
According to the gathering, the repatriation agreement was signed between the two countries.
The signing ceremony was held at the Wereldmuseum, Leiden, Netherlands, where Benin bronzes were previously exhibited.
Mr Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of NCMM, said in a statement on Monday that 119 Benin bronzes will be returned to Nigeria in batches.
Holloway said the situation surrounding the return was built over the years of purposeful pursuit of common pursuits and long-term friendship between the two countries.
“NCMM formally wrote in September 2022, requiring Benin to return unconditionally in the Netherlands; he said.
“In July 2024, discussions on repatriation were rekindled between the Netherlands and Nigeria at the EU and African Union meeting in Ethiopia.
“After several discussions in November 2024, the recommendation of the Independent Colonial Collection Committee was favorable and informed the Dutch government that it decided to return 119 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.
“The return of 119 objects will represent the largest physical return of Benin antiquities, directly related to the punitive expedition in Britain in 1897 and is scheduled to arrive in Nigeria in June.
“The situation around this reward is built on years of purposeful, shared pursuits and long-term friendships in our country.
“This is a regular participation in diplomatic advice on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.”
Holloway pointed out that the idea of Dutch fairness is in the great support of the Dutch embassy Nigeria for the NCMM’s embassy.
He said their work and support led to such repatriation not being underestimated.
“NCMM wants to take this opportunity to thank the Federal Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
He added: “We also thank the Honorary Minister Hannatu Musawa for making this significant development possible.”
