The University of Cambridge has formally transferred legal ownership of 116 Benin artefacts to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), following a longstanding request from Nigerian authorities. The move marks a major milestone in addressing colonial-era dispossession of African cultural heritage.
The artefacts, part of the historic Benin Bronzes, were taken by British armed forces during the 1897 “Punitive Expedition” on Benin City (now in Edo State) in present-day Nigeria. British troops looted thousands of brass, bronze, ivory and wooden objects from the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, dispersing them into museums and private collections across Europe and North America.
The formal transfer of ownership, announced in early February 2026, follows Nigeria’s January 2022 claim to have the artefacts returned. Cambridge’s Governing Council supported the restitution, and authorisation was granted by the UK Charity Commission, clearing the final legal hurdle.
Most of the artefacts will be physically returned to Nigeria later in the year, with arrangements for transportation currently underway. A small number of 17 pieces will remain on long-term loan to Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA), where they will continue to be accessible to researchers, students and visitors for an initial period before eventual repatriation.
The returned items encompass a range of culturally significant objects, including intricately crafted brass plaques, commemorative heads of monarchs and carved figures that hold deep spiritual and historical meaning for the Edo people. As part of Nigeria’s plan, many of the pieces will be housed in museums in Benin City and Lagos to contribute to heritage preservation and public education.
NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway described the restitution as a “pivotal moment” that restores dignity and pride to the Nigerian people, emphasising that the return transcends mere ownership, it is about healing historical injustices and reclaiming cultural identity.
The restitution at Cambridge is part of a wider global movement urging Western museums and institutions to return artefacts taken during colonial campaigns. Other examples include returns from European and American museums and exhibitions, reflecting a shift toward more ethical stewardship of cultural property.
For Nigeria, one of the key challenges ahead is ensuring the preservation and proper curation of the returned treasures, while creating broader access for citizens and international visitors. The ongoing restitution debate remains central to discussions of post-colonial cultural justice and international heritage law.
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Cambridge University has officially transferred ownership of 116 Benin artefacts looted by British forces in 1897 to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, marking a major step in the restitution of colonial-era cultural heritage.
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