The University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has approved the return of 116 Benin bronzes to Nigeria, marking another major step in the global push to repatriate looted African heritage.
The artifacts, seized during the 1897 British invasion of Benin City, include royal commemorative heads and intricate ivory and wooden sculptures.
The Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments, which requested the return, hailed the decision as a restoration of cultural pride and historical justice.
While most of the pieces will be transferred in the coming months, 17 will remain on temporary loan at the Cambridge museum for three years, ensuring continued access for visitors, students, and researchers.
This landmark repatriation aligns with a growing global movement, as institutions across Europe and the US increasingly acknowledge the need to right historical wrongs by returning plundered treasures.
