The University of Cambridge has formally transferred ownership of 116 Benin artefacts from its Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) collections to Nigeria.

According to NCMM, the decision follows a formal request made in January 2022 for the return of artefacts looted by British forces during the sacking of Benin City in 1897.

The artefacts were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), which manages them under an agreement with the Benin Royal Palace.

The University’s Council approved the claim, and authorisation from the UK Charity Commission was subsequently granted.

The physical transfer of most of the artefacts will be arranged in due course, while a small number will remain on loan and on display at Cambridge to remain accessible to museum visitors, students, and researchers. The move aligns with similar commitments by museums in the UK, US, and Europe to return cultural heritage items to their countries of origin.

The 116 objects, primarily brass with some ivory and wooden sculptures, were taken during the British ‘Punitive Expedition’ of February 1897, which followed a violent trade dispute the previous month and resulted in the looting of the Benin Royal Palace.

Speaking on the development, Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of NCMM, described the transfer as a pivotal moment in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the University of Cambridge, highlighting the importance of restoring cultural heritage to its rightful custodians.

‘How multi-billion naira artefacts were repatriated’

The return of the artefacts is expected to strengthen historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and the UK while providing opportunities for research, education, and public engagement in both countries.

According to him, “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. 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 were lost when these objects were taken in the first place. We would like to thank the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for all her invaluable support in making this happen, and we applaud Cambridge for taking this step in the right direction. We look forward to welcoming the artefacts back home soon.”

On his part, Professor Nicholas Thomas, 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 ten 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.”

As one of several UK museums with significant holdings of material taken from Benin in 1897, the MAA has been involved in long-term research and engagement projects in partnership with Nigerian stakeholders and representatives from the Royal Court of the Benin kingdom, as well as artists, academics, and students from Nigeria.

MAA curators have participated in study and liaison visits to Benin City since 2018, meeting the Oba, members of the Court, state and federal government leaders, and cultural representatives. The University also hosted the Benin Dialogue Group in 2017 and welcomed NCMM and Royal Court representatives to Cambridge in 2021. (The Nation)