The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has officially taken custody of 119 Benin artefacts returned from the Netherlands.
This is the largest single return of looted items since the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom by British colonial forces.
At the ceremony held in the ancient palace in Benin City, the Oba received the items with gratitude, describing the moment as deeply emotional and spiritually significant for the Benin people.
He acknowledged the Netherlands government for their goodwill and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continuing the repatriation effort started by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The artefacts include items of spiritual and historical importance such as a carved bird (Ahianmwen), a wooden ancestral head, the image of a warrior king, and a ceremonial cock (Okpa).
They were formally handed over to the Oba by the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mr. Olugbile Holloway, who represented the Nigerian government.
Oba Warns Against Attempts to Steal Artefacts Again
While addressing guests, the Oba alleged that there had been efforts by certain individuals within Nigeria to hijack the artefacts once they were returned.
He said a former head of the NCMM and some powerful individuals in the Edo State Government were involved in what he described as a plot to re-loot the returned items.
He assured that such actions had been firmly resisted.
“There were groups in Nigeria acting with international cartels and conspirators against the return of Benin Bronzes,” the monarch said. “A former head of NCMM was part of that conspiracy. These artefacts belong to my ancestors, and I will not allow them to be stolen again while I sit on this ancient throne.”
He also acknowledged President Tinubu’s role in safeguarding the repatriation process. “I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and continuing the efforts of former President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure our artefacts are not re-looted.”
The Oba further said he is optimistic that the returned pieces would spiritually rejuvenate the Benin Kingdom and inspire cultural pride and unity among the people.
Dutch Delegation and Edo State Government React
Marieke Van Bommel, head of the Dutch delegation and director of a prominent museum, described the return as a step forward in promoting cultural justice. She assured the Oba that no other Benin artefacts remain in the custody of the Netherlands.
“We are glad to return these treasures to their rightful home. This is a historic day for both Nigeria and the Netherlands,” Van Bommel said. She also noted that the handover symbolises stronger diplomatic relations between the two countries.
After a decades-long repatriation campaign, Nigeria has received 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands pic.twitter.com/sMRqedlFvR
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 19, 2025
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Musa Ikhilor.
The state government pledged full support for the monarch’s efforts to secure and display the artefacts. The governor also promised that a safe and modern facility would be established to preserve them for future generations.
This major repatriation comes one year after Germany returned two royal wooden stools (Ekete) to the Oba.
It adds momentum to Nigeria’s total campaign to reclaim looted cultural treasures held in museums and private collections around the world.
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