The Federal Government has demanded what it described as “a full and unconditional” repatriation of 1,130 Benin Bronzes that were looted from Nigeria in the 19th century and domiciled in museums in German.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, made the demand in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday, during separate meetings with the German Minister of State for Culture, Monika Grutters and the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas.
A statement issued by the Minister’s office said Mohammed was reacting to comments by Grutters that Germany was ready to make “substantial return” of the 1,130 looted artefacts.
Grutters is quoted as saying ”the way we deal with the issue of Benin Bronzes is important to addressing our colonial past,” describing the issues as ”an important personal concern”.
She assured her Nigerian counterpart that the 1,130 artefacts “would be returned to Nigeria from the beginning of 2022”.
Gutters said that the fact that Germany has twice sent delegations to Nigeria for talks over the planned repatriation “is an indication that both sides have moved beyond mere talks”.
Mohammed, who led the Nigerian delegation to the talks, said the repatriation should be whole rather than substantial, adding that the issue of provenance, which has to do with the place of origin of the artefacts, should not be allowed to unduly delay the repatriation of the artworks.
”That they are known as Benin Bronzes is already a confirmation of their source of origin (which is Benin),” the Minister noted.
While stressing the need for the parties to commit to definite timelines for the return of the Benin Bronzes, Mohammed said it was necessary to conclude all necessary negotiations in a very short term.
According to him, the ongoing discussion between Nigeria and Germany on the return of the art works is not just the end of an era but the beginning of a new vista of stronger relations, pivoted by cultural diplomacy, between both countries.
