In a formal event in Washington, the Smithsonian Foundation transferred ownership of 29 bronze sculptures from Benin to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of Culture, Lay Muhammad, requested the British Museum to do the same.
Lay Mohamed praised the American National Museum of African Arts’ action, which followed a final settlement with Germany that included the delivery of two bronze brokers and a formal request for the archaeological artefacts from the British Museum in London to be restored made by the Nigerian Ministry of Culture last year.
He said the following to The Guardian: “He recalled how British deputies informed him that the museum is required by law to not abandon the members of his group and said, “They must learn what happened today and what happened in Germany.
“I told them the last time I was in London, they will eventually return them because the campaign is gaining strength day after day, and when they look at what other museums do, they will have to return it.
When British forces overthrew the Kingdom of Benin in present-day Nigeria in 1897 and torched and exiled the royal palace, Oba said, “The bronze items were taken into consideration (the ruler). ultimately to private organisations and museums all across the world.
By way of purchase, transfer, donation, and bequest, certain bronze sculptures made their way into the Smithsonian Foundation; nevertheless, the Foundation shared the effects with Nigeria’s National Committee for Museums and Antiquities.
These are not only priceless items, according to Lay Muhammad; they are artefacts that discuss our identity as well as our history, religion, beliefs, and morals.
monuments from Africa in the British Museum.
Nigeria requests that the British Museum return its archaeological riches to it.
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