Looted artefacts in Oxford museums could be returned to Nigeria

Following a request from Nigeria, nearly 100 artefacts that were looted by British colonial forces in 1897 could be returned.

The artefacts were taken from Benin City and are now stored in the Pitt Rivers and Ashmolean museums in Oxford, reports BBC.

Oxford University Council has decided to support a claim from Nigeria's museums commission.

Benin Bronzes on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2017. Photo: Aljazeera

It will be considered by the Charity Commission before it can be authorised.

Dahomey, which existed from the 17th to the end of 19th century, was one of the most powerful African kingdoms. Behanzin (pictured) is considered its last independent ruler, coming to power through traditional structures. He led the national resistance against French troops when they invaded the kingdom in 1890. Following France's victory four years later, Behanzin fled into exile with his family. Photo: DW

Oxford University acknowledged in a statement that they received a claim from Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for the return of the 97 items, including bronzes.

A painting showing the British Highland Regiments making their forced march from the River Ordah to Kumasi in the Ashanti Campaign, 1874 [Artist Richard Caton Woodville / Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021]. Photo: Aljazeera

"The claim is now being processed by the university following its Procedures for Claims for the Return of Cultural Objects.

Nearly 130 years after they were added to France's collection, the artworks are now being returned to Benin, in West Africa. Before their restitution, the works from the former Kingdom of Dahomey (located within present-day Benin) were on display in a special exhibition in Paris from October 26-31. Photo: DW

"As one of several UK museums that hold significant materials taken from Benin in 1897, the Pitt Rivers has been involved in long-term research and engagement projects in partnership with Nigerian stakeholders and representatives from the Royal Court of the Benin kingdom.

Detail of the contentious Benin plaques exhibit (more commonly known as the Benin Bronzes) at the British Museum in London in February 2020 [File: David Cliff/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images]

"The university is now submitting the case to the Charity Commission, recommending transfer of legal title to the objects to the NCMM," it added.

It is expected the Charity Commission will have considered the claim by autumn.

A pair of carved, ivory leopards presented to Queen Victoria by Admiral Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson after the capture of Benin by British troops in 1897 [Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2021]. Photo: Aljazeera

During war and colonisation, Western nations participated in the theft of thousands of pieces of African art. 

Twenty-six works of art seized by French colonial soldiers in 1892 returned to Benin in November 2021, a landmark in the long fight by African countries to recover looted artifacts.