Germany to return 1,130 stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The Nigerian government signed a declaration in Berlin on Friday that will result in the return of 1,130 Benin Bronzes from Germany.

According to a press statement issued by Nigeria's Ministry of Information and Culture, the historic joint proclamation will pave the way for the return of bronzes plundered from the ancient Benin Kingdom during the Benin Expedition of 1897, 125 years ago.

Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's minister of information and communication, hailed the intended return as the "single largest repatriation of artifacts anywhere in the world" during the signing ceremony.

According to Mr Mohammed, Germany has taken the lead in correcting the wrongs of the past by agreeing to return the looted artefacts.

He said though Nigeria was never a German colony, many of the artefacts seen in German public institutions got there via trade and donations.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this pace-setting action by the Federal Government of Germany will become a harbinger of more repatriation of cultural property to their place of origin, as other museums and institutions are expected to take a cue from what Germany has done,” he said.

"By restoring to Nigeria what legitimately belongs to it, Germany has gained more friends in Nigeria and around the world," he continued.

In addition, Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalens Baerbock, stated, "It was wrong to seize the (Benin) bronzes." It was wrong to keep them for so long (125 years). This is the first step toward making things right."

Zubairu Dada, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who was also present at the signing, referred to Germany as a "champion of justice and fairness."

The signing was witnessed by Claudia Roth, Germany's State Minister for Culture and Media; Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria's Ambassador to Germany; and Abba Tijani, Director-General of Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments.