Nigeria Demands the Complete Return of Benin Artefacts From Germany

• The Nigerian government had made it clear that it wants the full return of 1,130 Benin artefacts that are currently in Germany without any attached conditions

• The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed disclosed this following a statement by Germany Cultural Minister Prof. Monika Grutters that returns will be substantial

• Meanwhile the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki had disclosed that a museum is being built in Benin to house the artefacts

The Nigerian government has demanded the full and unconditional return of stolen Benin artefacts from Germany.

This information was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed following meetings with Germany’s Minister of State for Culture, Prof. Monika Grutters and Germany’s Foreign Minister, Mr Heiko Maas.

Lai Mohammed was reacting to a statement by Germany’s minister of culture that a “substantial” amount of artefacts will be returned.

The Nigerian minister demanded that all the Benin Bronzes be released rather than only a few.

Lai Mohammed also stated that determine the origin of the artefacts should not be a reason for the delay of their returns as it is already known that they are Benin artefacts and as such they are from Benin.

Mr Mohammed thanked the German government for taking the first steps to return artefacts that were stolen from the country and Africa as a whole.

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki also present during the meetings, disclosed that a museum is being built in Benin City that will house the stolen artefacts when they are returned.

German Minister of State for Culture, Prof. Grutters also promised that the return of the Benin artefacts will start from the beginning of 2022.

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