Benin City, Nigeria – A planned museum opening in Benin City was disrupted Sunday by protests centering on the display of repatriated Benin Bronzes, ancient artifacts looted from Nigeria in the late 19th century. Attendees, including international guests, were evacuated from the event as demonstrators voiced support for Oba Ewuare II, the city’s customary ruler. No injuries were reported.
The museum,slated to officially open Tuesday,was intended to house a meaningful collection of the returned Bronzes – sculptures adn plaques seized by British soldiers during a punitive expedition in 1897 and later dispersed to museums worldwide. The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the ownership and control of these culturally significant objects,even as international institutions increasingly acknowledge the legitimacy of Nigeria’s claims and initiate repatriation efforts. The future of the museum’s opening,and the display of the artifacts,remains uncertain.
According to reports, the protests stemmed from disagreements between the Oba and museum organizers regarding the exhibition of the returned Bronzes. A 2023 law signed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari designates the Oba as the custodian of the museum’s artifacts. Plans to display the Bronzes were subsequently suspended.
The museum, privately owned by the MOWAA trust – a non-profit established in 2020 – receives funding from the state government, the british Museum, German museums, and other grants. In a statement, the museum asserted the former state government has no financial interest in its operations. Nigeria’s federal government stated it is monitoring the situation “with deep concern.”
The disruption comes as Nigeria continues to receive returned artifacts from across the globe. In June, the Netherlands repatriated 119 Benin Bronzes, marking the largest single return to date. The ongoing effort to reclaim these cultural treasures represents a significant moment in post-colonial redress and a renewed focus on preserving Nigeria’s heritage. The museum has suspended further activities and requested visitors postpone their visits until the situation is resolved. It has not yet responded to requests for comment from the associated Press.
