Nigeria's Museum Commission to Retrieve Benin Bronzes

Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has been designated to retrieve and manage the Benin Bronzes, artifacts looted by British soldiers in 1897. This decision follows a decree by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2023, which initially named the Oba of Benin as the rightful custodian of these cultural treasures. However, due to the Oba's lack of infrastructure for proper management, the NCMM will now oversee the bronzes' conservation and retrieval efforts. Director General Olugbile Holloway emphasized that the initiative is not merely logistical but also aims to restore dignity to the Nigerian people and address historical injustices. Negotiations with institutions such as Cambridge University, which had paused returns due to previous directives, are reportedly back on track. Holloway expressed confidence in reaching agreements for the bronzes' return, highlighting their significance in Nigeria's cultural heritage.