The Netherlands has returned a historic artefacartefact taken from the Benin Kingdom during the 1897 British invasion, 129 years after it was removed, in a fresh boost to Nigeria’s efforts to reclaim its looted cultural heritage.
The artefact was formally presented to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, at his palace in Benin City on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during activities marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the presentation was made by the Consul General of the Netherlands, Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands.
The return represents another step in the longstanding campaign to recover cultural objects taken from the Benin Kingdom during the colonial era.
Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasue, described the restitution as a significant achievement in the kingdom’s efforts to reclaim its historical treasures.
Imasue said the Netherlands had initiated efforts to return artefacts removed from Benin following the 1897 invasion, expressing optimism that additional objects would be repatriated.
He explained that the recovered objects originally belonged to the Oba of Benin and served as historical records of the kingdom’s royal traditions, governance and cultural heritage.
According to him, successive Benin monarchs had pursued the return of the artefacts, but the campaign gained renewed momentum under Oba Ewuare II, whose diplomatic background helped strengthen international engagement on the issue.
Imasue also acknowledged the Federal Government’s role through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, which recognises the historical connection between the artefacts and the Benin Palace.
He commended the Dutch government for facilitating the return and choosing the monarch’s coronation anniversary as the occasion for the presentation.
Oba Ewuare II seeks stronger cultural ties with Portugal
Speaking during the anniversary celebration, Oba Ewuare II welcomed the return of the artefact and expressed appreciation to the Netherlands for its contribution to the restitution process.
The monarch also acknowledged the presence of Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos, and the Dutch Consul General at the ceremony.
Ewuare disclosed plans to strengthen cultural and historical relations between the Benin Kingdom and Portugal, citing longstanding connections between the two sides dating back to early European contact with the kingdom.
He highlighted the historical influence of Portuguese religious traditions on the Holy Aruosa Church in Benin, noting that the institution reflects elements of Catholic practices alongside indigenous spiritual beliefs.
The monarch’s remarks underscored the broader significance of the restitution beyond the recovery of individual objects, particularly in preserving the kingdom’s history and strengthening international cultural relations.
Netherlands, Germany, US step up restitution efforts
The latest return comes amid growing international efforts to repatriate thousands of artefacts looted from the Benin Kingdom during the British military invasion of 1897.
In February 2025, the Netherlands announced plans to return 113 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, in what was expected to be one of the largest restitutions of Benin cultural objects by a European country.
The objects, primarily held at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, were among the treasures removed from the kingdom more than a century ago.
Germany also signed an agreement with Nigeria in July 2022 for the repatriation of 1,130 Benin Bronzes, while the Horniman Museum in London began returning 72 artefacts later that year.
In October 2022, the United States joined the restitution efforts, returning 23 looted Benin artefacts to Nigeria through cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.
These developments reflect increasing international recognition of Nigeria’s claims to cultural objects removed during the colonial period.
Cultural restitution offers tourism opportunities
Beyond their historical and cultural significance, the return of the artefacts could create opportunities for Nigeria’s tourism and heritage sectors.
The recovery of the objects provides scope for strengthening museum collections, promoting heritage tourism and preserving the historical legacy of the Benin Kingdom for future generations.
For Benin City, the restitution efforts could also reinforce its position as a major destination for visitors interested in Nigeria’s history, traditional institutions and cultural heritage.
However, the broader benefits will depend partly on how effectively the recovered objects are preserved, displayed and incorporated into sustainable cultural tourism initiatives.
The latest repatriation adds to Nigeria’s continuing efforts to restore artefacts taken during the colonial era and renews attention on the historical importance of the Benin Kingdom’s artistic and cultural legacy.
