The British Museum is under pressure to return one of its most controversial artefacts after one of the country’s top universities made the decision to give back more than 100 artefacts to Nigeria.
The University of Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has completed the official transfer of ownership for 116 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, with arrangements underway for the artefacts to physically return to their home country before the end of 2026.
The ownership transfer was announced jointly by the university and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
Planning for the physical relocation of the majority of the items is currently in progress, according to both institutions.
The artefacts in question were taken by British armed forces when they occupied Benin City in 1897 and have been housed at the Cambridge museum for over a century.
The transfer follows a formal request submitted by the NCMM in January 2022 requesting the return of the objects. The university supported the request, which subsequently received approval from the UK Charity Commission.
The Benin Bronzes comprise thousands of metal sculptures, plaques and carvings that were created between the 15th and 19th centuries.
These works are widely recognised for their exceptional craftsmanship and hold deep spiritual and historical significance for the people of the region.
Benin Bronzes: Brass leopard with raised spots, attached by the head to a chain
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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
The objects currently held at Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology represent part of a much larger collection of Benin artefacts dispersed across various institutions following the 1897 occupation.
Over the past decade, the museum has participated in research and engagement projects in collaboration with Nigerian stakeholders, including representatives from the Royal Court of the Benin kingdom, alongside Nigerian artists, academics and students.
Under the arrangement agreed between the two parties, 17 of the pieces will not immediately return to Nigeria but will instead remain at the Cambridge museum on loan. This loan arrangement has been established for an initial period of three years.
During this time, the 17 artefacts will continue to be displayed at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, ensuring continued access for museum visitors as well as students and researchers at the university.
Benin Bronzes: A brass penannular bracelet decorated with heavy slanting bands
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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Olugbile Holloway, the director general of the NCMM, confirmed to the BBC the returned artefacts will be housed in museums located in Lagos and Benin City.
“We expect this to happen before the year ends,” he said.
Plans are in place for a new permanent exhibition to open in the future to display the returned works.
He continued: “This development marks a pivotal point in our dialogue with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge and it is our hope that this will spur other museums to head in a similar direction.
Prince Aghatise Erediauwa and Professor Nicholas Thomas, pictured at the MAA in 2021 as part of The Benin Dialogue Group
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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
“The return of cultural items for us is not just the return of the physical object, but also the restoration of the pride and dignity that was lost when these objects were taken in the first place.
“We applaud Cambridge for taking this step in the right direction. We look forward to welcoming the artefacts back home soon.”
He went on to say he hopes the British Museum will follow the university’s example, telling the Observer: “The issue has come to the British Museum’s doorstep.
“We now expect a domino effect.”
Prof Nicholas Thomas, the director of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, said: “It has been immensely rewarding to engage in dialogue with colleagues from the National Commission of Museums and Monuments, members of the Royal Court, and Nigerian scholars, students and artists over the last 10 years.
“Over the period, support has mounted, nationally and internationally, for the repatriation of artefacts that were appropriated in the context of colonial violence. This return has been keenly supported across the university community.”