Culture

Netherlands to return 119 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria in June

Published

2 years ago

February 21, 2025

Nigeria is set to receive 119 looted Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands in June, marking the largest single repatriation of these artefacts

Nigeria is set to receive 119 looted Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands in June 2025, following a historic repatriation agreement between both nations.

This marks the largest single return of Benin antiquities directly linked to the 1897 British punitive expedition.

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) confirmed the repatriation, which includes 113 artefacts from the Dutch State Collection and six from the Municipality of Rotterdam.

These bronzes were originally taken during the British attack on the Benin Kingdom and later found their way to museums and private collections in the Netherlands.

The signing ceremony for the repatriation took place at the Wereldmuseum in Leiden, the Netherlands, where the bronzes were previously displayed.

Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of NCMM, highlighted that the return is the result of years of diplomatic negotiations and cooperation between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

The NCMM formally requested the unconditional return of the Benin Bronzes in September 2022. Discussions gained momentum in July 2024 during the European Union and African Union conference in Ethiopia.

By November 2024, the Netherlands’ independent Colonial Collections Committee recommended the return, leading to the government’s final decision.

Holloway acknowledged the Netherlands’ fair-minded approach and the strong diplomatic ties that made this historic return possible.

He also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, as well as Minister Hannatu Musawa, for their efforts in securing the return of these cultural treasures.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”