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Zurich Museum Returns Benin Artifacts to Nigeria
25 Mar
Summary
- Museum Rietberg transferred eleven objects from the Kingdom of Benin to Nigeria.
- Nine of the eleven objects will remain on loan in the Swiss museum's collections.
- The repatriation follows a restitution claim filed by Nigeria in July 2024.
Museum Rietberg in Zurich has transferred ownership of eleven historical objects from the Kingdom of Benin to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This significant move involves two objects being repatriated to Nigeria, while nine will continue to be held on loan by the Swiss museum. These artifacts are among thousands linked to a British raid on Benin City in 1897, which led to widespread looting.
The restitution was prompted by an official claim submitted in July 2024 by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), representing the Nigerian government and the Kingdom of Benin. NCMM Director General Olugbile Holloway expressed appreciation, noting the decision's role in healing aspects of a "fragmented colonial past."
This development places Museum Rietberg among other Swiss institutions, including the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich and the Musée d'ethnographie de Genève, in returning Benin Bronzes. These efforts are largely facilitated by initiatives like the Benin Initiative Switzerland (BIS), launched in 2021 to identify and address Benin objects within Swiss collections acquired after the 1897 looting. Museums involved emphasize their ethical responsibility and a commitment to dialogue with societies of origin.
