Culture

Nigeria receives 119 Benin bronzes from Netherlands in major restitution move

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2025

Nigeria has received 119 Benin bronzes looted in 1897 from the Netherlands, marking a major step in cultural restitution and historic heritage recovery

Nigeria receives 119 Benin bronzes from the Netherlands in a landmark cultural restitution ceremony held on Saturday at the National Museum in Lagos.

Also read: Netherlands to return 119 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria in June

The return of the artefacts, originally looted during the 1897 British raid on Benin City, marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s decades-long demand for the restoration of its cultural heritage.

The formal handover involved the signing of a transfer document by Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s minister of art, culture, tourism, and creative economy, and Dewi van de Weerd, the Dutch ambassador for international cultural cooperation.

Among the items presented were four key artefacts: a bronze carving of a king’s head, a leopard, a bird, and an elephant tusk. These were displayed publicly during the ceremony to symbolise the spiritual and historical value of the returned items.

“These are embodiments of the spirit and identity of the people from which they were taken,” said Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), emphasising the cultural significance of the artefacts to the Edo people.

Holloway confirmed that while four items were showcased in Lagos, the remaining bronzes are to be returned directly to the Oba of Benin, maintaining their ancestral connection and restoring the cultural integrity of the Benin Kingdom.

In a further boost to Nigeria’s heritage restoration efforts, Holloway also revealed that Germany has committed to returning over 1,000 additional Benin bronzes.

A formal agreement has been signed by the German government, adding momentum to the growing global movement for the restitution of African art.

The bronzes, often described as some of the finest examples of African craftsmanship, were taken by British troops during the punitive expedition that destroyed Benin City at the end of the 19th century.

Many ended up in European museums and private collections, where they have remained for over a century.

Saturday’s ceremony was hailed by cultural advocates and historians as a powerful gesture of redress, one that not only honours the history of the Benin people but also sets a precedent for further returns of looted cultural treasures across Africa.

Also read: Nigeria’s federal executive council approves initiatives to boost cultural sector, global image

The artefacts are expected to play a vital role in cultural education, national identity, and tourism, especially as Nigeria continues to push for the return of more items held in institutions across Europe and North America.

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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.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

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.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

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.”