NIGERIA

Updated February 2024

Below is a schedule of successful restitutions made to Nigeria, together with other restitution news. Entries are updated regularly

February 2024

The Benin royal household claims that Cambridge University has "duped" them by stalling the return of 116 Benin artefacts

Yahoo News

August 2023

Leading barrister and human rights activist Hannatu Musawa, appointed this week to the new role of Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, vows to completely change the narrative of Nigeria

Daily Post

August 2023

Two Dukes (Enigie) from Benin Kingdom have thanked Nigeria's Federal Government and the Oba of Benin 'for their determination and unwavering support' for the Benin Royal Museum project

The Sun

April 2023

The Oba of Benin notifies Wouter Pomp, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, of the responsibilities vested in him by the recent order for the ownership, custody and management of returning Benin Bronzes

Leadership

April 2023

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued an order recognising ownership and vesting custody and management of repatriated Benin artefacts in the Oba of Benin

This Day

March 2023

At the latest meeting of the Benin Dialogue Group held in March funding was secured for a storage facility to house returning Benin Bronzes

Museums Association

February 2023

Following the expected return of 1,130 Benin artefacts from Germany, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to build a royal museum in Benin, Edo State

The Sun

November 2022

"Digital Benin" has launched providing an online database of more than 5000 objects looted from Benin City and now held in over 100 collections worldwide

The Art Newspaper

February 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari clarifies the division of roles between Nigeria's Federal Government and Benin Kingdom

The Guardian

January 2022

Nigeria has made a formal request to Glasgow Life for the return of looted Benin artefacts held in the City's collections

Glasgow Live

January 2022

Nigeria and the United States sign a cultural property agreement to protect and preserve Nigeria's cultural patrimony

The Art Newspaper

January 2022

Nigeria expects to receive at least 1,030 Benin artefacts from Germany in 2022

Punch

January 2022

Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments is taking control of returning Benin objects following the current Oba's opposition to Nigeria's Legacy Restoration Trust

The Art Newspaper