Switzerland Returns 18 Looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria After 125 Years

Switzerland has returned 18 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria more than 125 years after the cultural treasures were looted during the 1897 British invasion of the ancient Benin Kingdom, marking another milestone in ongoing international efforts to repatriate African artefacts taken during the colonial era.

The artefacts were formally handed over to Nigerian authorities at a ceremony held at the National Museum in Lagos.

The returned objects came from three Swiss museums participating in the Benin Initiative Switzerland, a programme established to investigate the provenance of Benin artefacts held in Swiss collections and facilitate their return.

The restitution follows an agreement signed earlier this year under which Switzerland committed to transferring ownership of 28 Benin artefacts to Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the handover as more than the recovery of cultural objects.

According to the minister, the return represents a symbol of dialogue, mutual trust and international cooperation between Nigeria and Switzerland.

In addition to the Benin Bronzes, Swiss authorities also returned a bronze bracelet and four archaeological monoliths originating from the Niger Delta.

Both countries further signed an agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on the protection, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

The latest restitution adds to the growing global movement for the return of African cultural heritage, with museums and institutions across Europe and North America increasingly repatriating Benin artefacts to Nigeria after decades of advocacy over their removal during the colonial period.

The Benin Bronzes were among thousands of artworks taken by British forces during the 1897 punitive expedition against the Kingdom of Benin, with many subsequently dispersed to museums and private collections around the world. Their return has become a central issue in international discussions on cultural restitution and historical justice.