Artefacts that were looted from Benin have started their formal journey back to Nigeria thanks to a little museum in southeast London.
The Horniman Museum officially transferred ownership of the 72 priceless artefacts to the Nigerian government. The artefacts were taken by force from Benin City in 1897.
The Horniman stated that, in response to a request from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, returning the looted items was a “moral and proper” action.
Two Benin Bronze plaques from the royal palace were among the first six items to be returned.
They were given to Nigerian officials at a ceremony to commemorate the return of 72 looted items.
British soldiers took the goods from Benin City in February 1897.
Before the official handover, journalists questioned prof. Abba Tijani, director general of the NCMM, and Nick Merriman, chief executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, about their feelings regarding the British Museum’s apparent reluctance to transfer the 900 objects it had held for more than a century.
According to Merriman, who described the Horniman as a “great example” of leadership, said
“Journalists that approach me about the Benin repatriation always want to ask me about the British Museum, I’d rather to discuss what a great example the Horniman is than respond to inquiries about the British Museum.“
The first wave of physical repatriation of Benin artifacts from the Horniman includes the six artefacts chosen in consultation with the NCMM as being representative of the collection of 72 items.
The remainder will be able to remain in Britain temporarily on loan thanks to a new arrangement between the NCMM and the Horniman, with a second round of physical repatriations to follow.
Later, Professor Tijani clarified that there were currently “5,000 scattered” Benin bronzes in existence.
He expressed his hope that discussions with various organizations would lead to agreements that may signal the return of the artifacts from countries like Germany and the United States.