Britain could temporarily loan Benin bronzes to Nigeria

According to The Art Newspaper, a group of European museums and Nigerian parties are pushing for a return of the artefacts to their home country.

The group, known as the Benin Dialogue Group, comprises of nine museums across London, Cambridge, Oxford, Berlin, Dresden, Hamburg, Vienna and Stockholm. It also includes a consortium of four Dutch ethnographic museums.

It has been reported that a royal museum will be built in Benin, Edo State, and while it isn’t certain if the loan will be made, the construction is seen as the first step.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said the state is open to bringing the artefacts back home.

“Whatever terms we can agree to have them back so that we can relate to our experience, relate to these works that are at the essence of who we are, we would be open to such conversations,” he says.

“In some cases, it could be a permanent loan and in some cases, it (could) just be for temporary display. In other cases, it could be a return of works. The decision to establish a world-class museum will encourage curators across Europe to be confident to support the safe return,” he adds.