Horniman Museum to return 72 artifacts to Nigeria

The Benin Plaque of Chief Uwangue and Portuguese Traders is one of the items being returned to Nigeria

A London museum says it agrees to return artifacts looted from the kingdom of Benin in the 19th century to Nigeria.

The Horniman Museum said ownership of 72 objects would be transferred to the Nigerian government.

Items include 12 copper plates known as Benin Bronzes, a copper rooster and a key to the king’s palace.

It follows a request from the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in January.

The museum, in south east London, says it has consulted with community members, visitors, school children, academics, heritage professionals and artists in Nigeria and the UK.

“All their views on the future of the Benin objects were considered, in addition to the provenance of the objects,” explains the museum.

The museum president said it was “moral and appropriate” to return them.

The Horniman was recently named Museum of the Year 2022

In recent years, political pressure has increased on European governments and museums to return looted artefacts.

These include ivory carvings and metal sculptures known as the Benin Bronzes.

Eve Salomon, president of the museum, said: “The evidence is very clear that these objects were obtained by force, and external consultations supported our view that it is both moral and appropriate to return their property to Nigeria.

“The Horniman is excited to take this step and we look forward to working with the NCMM to secure long-term care for these precious artifacts.”

The items from Horniman’s collection are just some of the items that have returned to Nigeria from museums in the west in recent months.

The German authorities have also returned more than 1,100 objects to the West African country.

NCMM says some of the priceless sculptures will be stored in the national museum in Benin once it is expanded and others will be stored in the museum in Lagos.

The British Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Benin bronzes.

It says the British Museum Act of 1963 and the National Heritage Act of 1983 prevent it from returning items permanently.

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