Germany is praised for returning Benin bronzes to Nigeria

Germany gave Nigeria a wonderful Christmas present this week when it returned 22 precious Benin bronzes, with many more still to come.

THE BRITISH LEFT THE ANCIENT BENIN KINGDOM DESTROYED IN 1897 after leading a vengeful mission there. Bronze heads were among the priceless artifacts the warriors seized during the conquest and transported to other European nations. On Tuesday, 125 years after they left, several of them came back.

A few of the artifacts ended up in Germany. Government museums in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Cologne eventually acquired them. Germany started returning the artifacts to Nigeria on Tuesday at a ceremony in Abuja under the direction of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Earlier, on July 7, the nation had lawfully transferred ownership of 1,130 Benin bronzes to the German public.

A few of the artifacts ended up in Germany. Government museums in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Cologne eventually acquired them. Germany started returning the artifacts to Nigeria on Tuesday at a ceremony in Abuja under the direction of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Nigeria previously received legal ownership of 1,130 Benin bronzes that were formerly housed in public institutions in Germany on July 7.

One of the 22 items returned at the event was a miniature ivory Iyoba (Queen Mother) mask decorated with red coral, yellow glass pearls, and a crown of stylized electric catfish. Baerbock said, “She comes back to where she belongs.”

“Stealing these bronzes was wrong. It was improper to keep these bronzes; their return to their rightful place is long overdue. We consider this as a starting point. Since so many bronzes have been taken and looted, many will return. We are coping with our troubled colonial past, so this move is very crucial, she continued.

The Minister has a warning for those who maintain that if the bronzes were returned, Nigeria lacks the facility to hold them. “I’m pleased to let you know that the Nigerian Federal Government is starting to enhance the area’s infrastructure around the National Museum in Benin City.This will be in addition to the infrastructure improvements that other Nigerian stakeholders are launching as well as the enormous assistance from international partners, particularly Germany. Benin City will quickly develop into a center of African culture.

Mohammed then singled out Britain as those still on to Nigerian artifacts. “We demand the release of all other countries, organizations, museums, and individual collectors who still possess Nigerian artifacts. We specifically request that the British Museum release the more than 900 Benin Bronzes that are now in its custody. Nigeria’s official letter to the British Museum requesting the return of its artifacts there has been on file for a year. However, there hasn’t been any sort of response. I went in July of this year in the hopes that the victory with the Germans would persuade the British Museum to act morally. But I ran into a wall. The British Museum and everyone else who is keeping our artifacts must comprehend this.

The British Museum and everyone else who is still on to our artifacts must realize that the moment for repatriation has come.

They must comprehend that many of these cultural artifacts represent not only art but the very essence of who we are. They are not only ornamental pieces; they represent our heritage and culture. They should stay here, not somewhere else.