The Netherlands has announced plans to return 113 Benin Bronzes from its national collection to Nigeria, marking a significant step in efforts to repatriate looted artifacts. The Dutch government approved the restitution following recommendations from an advisory committee on colonial collections.
The artifacts, taken from the Kingdom of Benin by British forces in 1897 and later acquired by Dutch institutions, will be formally handed over to Nigeria in a repatriation ceremony. Officials from both countries have welcomed the decision, emphasizing the importance of restoring cultural heritage to its rightful owners.
This move follows similar restitutions by museums in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as global pressure mounts for institutions to address historical injustices related to colonial-era looting.
