The Federal Government has announced the return of the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes from Germany into Nigeria. In what has been the result of a series of correspondences on the subject matter between the two countries.
The Benin bronzes, including numerous other artefacts, were looted initially in the ‘Benin punitive expedition’ of 1897 by the then British Colonialists. The artefacts were later auctioned to various countries and are now in multiple museums around the world. Germany has offered to repatriate the Benin bronzes back into Nigeria.
Lai Mohammed, the Minister of information, revealed the news on Wednesday after a delegation from Germany came to follow up on correspondences of the repatriation of the bronzes.
Return of 1,130 Looted Benin Bronzes from Germany, FG Reveals
The delegation from Germany was led by Dr Andreas Gorgen, the Director-General for Culture and Communication of the German Federal Foreign Office. It was followed by Mr Birgitt Ory, the German Ambassador to Nigeria.
The Nigerian Minister for Information expressed his joy at the two countries working together and hoped that the repatriation would cement good working relationships.
He later expressed pleasure with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the delegation from Germany and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). He believes that the MOU underscores the intention for both countries to continue with the agreement to its conclusion.
Lai Mohammed noted that Germany was the first country to return many looted artefacts to Germany. He stated that experts would be sent to major German museums where the artefacts are before the final signing ceremony of the agreement in Berlin in December.
