Cambridge University Transfers Ownership of 116 Benin Artefacts to Nigeria

Cambridge University in England has formally transferred legal ownership of 116 Benin artefacts to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to address colonial era injustices linked to cultural heritage.

The decision was announced on Monday by the University of Cambridge, which described the move as a major step in confronting the legacy of colonial dispossession. The artefacts, housed at the university’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, were originally taken during the 1897 British military expedition that led to the sacking of Benin City.

According to the university, the transfer followed a formal restitution request submitted by the NCMM in January 2022. The claim was reviewed and supported by Cambridge University’s Governing Council, after which authorisation was granted by the UK Charity Commission, clearing the way for the legal handover.

The collection includes mainly brass cast works, alongside ivory and wooden sculptures, all of which hold deep historical, cultural, and spiritual significance to the people of Benin. While ownership has now been transferred, the university stated that arrangements for the physical return of most of the artefacts will be finalised in due course. A small number will remain in Cambridge on loan and will continue to be displayed for educational and research purposes.

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Reacting to the development, NCMM Director General Olugbile Holloway described the move as a turning point, noting that the return represents not only the recovery of physical objects but also the restoration of pride and dignity lost during colonial rule. He expressed hope that the decision would encourage other museums worldwide to follow suit.

The Director of MAA, Professor Nicholas Thomas, said the return was the result of years of dialogue and growing international support for repatriation. He added that the move has received strong backing across the university community.

The transfer aligns with similar restitution efforts by museums in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, signalling a broader shift toward historical accountability.