No one believed Germany would return Benin bronzes – FG

The Federal Government has said the rest of the world was in disbelief when Germany promised to return looted Nigerian Benin bronzes.

This was stated by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday at the official handover of repatriated Benin bronzes to Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, because of Germany’s action, negotiations with other nations, institutions and museums for repatriation of the Benin Bronzes in their possession became swifter.

He said, “A moment comes in the history of mankind that we are beckoned upon to do what is right. This moment beckoned and Germany seized it.

“Forever, Nigeria, Africa and indeed all of humanity, will remember and always cherish this period in human history when Germany stood by us.

“When Germany mooted and announced the idea of returning Nigerian Benin Bronzes, the entire globe treated the news with disbelief. However, Germany did not stop at a mere announcement but followed up with a visit to Nigeria by high-ranking officials in March 2021 to further assure us.

“Because of what Germany has done, negotiations with other nations, institutions and museums for repatriation of the Benin Bronzes in their possession became swifter.

“Subsequent meetings by Nigeria with Germany were on modalities, and the Germans were gracious throughout. Finally, on July 7, 2022, with the eyes of the whole world glued to their television screens, Germany signed the declaration with Nigeria to release all 1,130 Benin Bronzes in German public museums.

“Prior to the various events narrated above, I had, at a World Press Conference in Lagos on 28th November 2019, launched the
National Campaign for the Restitution/Return of Nigeria’s antiquities from all parts of the world.

“Twenty years ago, even ten years ago, nobody could have anticipated these bronzes returning to Nigeria, because the obstacles
to achieving repatriation were seemingly insurmountable. But today, with the pioneering gesture of a friendly nation, Germany, the story has changed. The negotiations were not as easy as things look today. They were stormy at times. But the sincerity of the Germans played a big role in resolving knotty issues. In this regard, my special gratitude goes to Andreas Gorgen and the Directors of the various museums for their patience and understanding.”

The minister added that the Federal Government is working on infrastructural development that will ensure the safety of the returned artefacts.

“And to those who say there are no infrastructures to take these bronzes in if they are returned, I am happy to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria is embarking on infrastructural development around the National Museum in Benin City. This will be in addition to the infrastructural developments that are being initiated by other stakeholders in Nigeria and the immense support of foreign partners, particularly Germany. Easily, Benin City will become a cultural hub for Africa.

“We want to thank the Federal Government of Germany and its officials for these unprecedented moves that culminated in this event.

“In particular, we want to thank the heads of government and governments of the various German regions and their officials, as well as the administrators of the regional museums in Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Leipzig and Berlin and all the other museums that have made repatriation possible. We understand that Germany, like Nigeria, practices a federal system of government, hence we know that it must have taken a lot of uncommon understanding, efforts and synergies to achieve this feat. We appreciate this and thank you all.

“We also want to thank other persons and groups that had struggled over the years in the cause of pursuing this dream. They worked subtly behind the scene to make all these happen.

“We call on all other nations, institutions, museums and private collectors still holding on to Nigerian antiquities to release them. Particularly, we call on the British Museum to release the more than 900 Benin Bronzes in its hold. A year has rolled by since Nigeria submitted an official letter to the British Museum demanding the return of Nigerian antiquities in this museum. Yet there has been no reply of any kind. I visited in July this year hoping that the success recorded with the Germans will nudge the British Museum to do what is right. But I met a brick wall. The British Museum and all those holding on to our artefacts must understand that repatriation is a cause which time has come. They must also understand that many of these cultural objects are not mere art to us but the true essence of our being. They are not mere decorative works but our culture and heritage. They belong here, not anywhere else!”