Switzerland is making a significant move in the process of correcting the wrongs of colonial history with the return of eighteen of the looted Benin Bronzes. The ceremony for the transfer of the objects took place in Lagos and was performed by the Swiss Ambassador and representatives of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM).
The objects returned by the Swiss government to Nigeria are representative of the works of art from the Royal Court of Benin, which is now located in Nigeria. The works were made using both carved ivory and cast metal and served as representations and veneration of ancestors, as well as performing a political function. Out of the total eighteen objects returned by Switzerland, fourteen of them were from the Ethnographic Museum in Zurich, while the Museum Rietberg in Zurich and the Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève (MEG) each returned two pieces.
The Ẹroro (bells) were rung to invoke the ancestors during ceremonies at the altars of dignitaries and the king. (Kathrin Leuenberger/University of Zurich)
The Legacy of the 1897 British Expedition
The history of the Benin Bronzes is deeply intertwined with the violence of European imperialism in Africa. The objects were looted during the infamous British expedition of 1897, a punitive campaign that resulted in the destruction of Benin City and the exile of its king, or Oba. Thousands of artifacts were stolen and subsequently dispersed across the globe, finding their way into private collections and museums in both Europe and North America.
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The restitution by Swiss museums follows years of meticulous provenance research conducted under the Benin Initiative Switzerland. Launched in 2021, this collaborative project involved eight Swiss museums and Nigerian partners, aiming to trace the origins of Benin artifacts held in Swiss collections. The research confirmed that the objects were indeed looted during the 1897 attack, paving the way for their return.
A New Chapter for Nigerian Cultural Heritage
The return of the Benin Bronzes marks a crucial moment for Nigeria's cultural heritage. During the handover ceremony, Swiss Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed an international agreement. This pact aims to prevent the illicit transfer of cultural property and strengthens cooperation between the two nations in protecting cultural heritage.
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The repatriated bronzes will now be accessible to Nigerian researchers, artists, and the general public. While some pieces will be displayed at the National Museum in Lagos, the majority will return to Edo State. They will be temporarily housed in the Oba Ovonramwen Storage facility in Benin City, with plans to establish a world-class gallery to showcase all recently returned artifacts, including those from the Netherlands and Cambridge University.
The Iy’Ọba (Queen Mother) is an important figure in the political hierarchy of the Kingdom of Benin. Such Uhunmwu elao ọghe Iy’ọba stood on the ancestral altar in the shrine of a Queen Mother and served to maintain daily contact with the ancestor. (Kathrin Leuenberger/University of Zurich)
The Ongoing Debate Over Repatriation
The restitution of the Benin Bronzes highlights a broader, ongoing debate within the museum world regarding the repatriation of looted artifacts. While institutions like the University of Zurich and the Museum Rietberg have taken proactive steps, others remain hesitant. The Culture Museum of St Gallen, for instance, holds objects classified as looted but has yet to offer returns to Nigeria.
The successful return of these artifacts demonstrates the importance of collaborative research and a willingness to address historical injustices. As more institutions confront their colonial pasts, the hope is that further stolen treasures will find their way back to their communities of origin, allowing them to reclaim and celebrate their rich cultural histories.
Top image: Left; This is a container for herbs and medicine. It depicts the divine messenger Ofoe without a torso. Right; This relief plate depicts the Iyasẹ, the Supreme Commander of the Benin Armies, paying homage to the Ọba with the Ebẹn (ceremonial sword). Source: Kathrin Leuenberger/University of Zurich
By Gary Manners
References
EurekAlert. 2026. Restitution to Nigeria: Swiss museums return 18 major artefacts. Available at: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1134000
Phillips, B. 2026. Switzerland Returns Benin Bronzes. Institute of Art and Law. Available at: https://ial.uk.com/switzerland-returns-benin-bronzes/
University of Zurich. 2026. UZH Returns Benin Bronzes From Its Ethnographic Museum to Nigeria. Available at: https://www.news.uzh.ch/en/articles/media/2026/Benin.html
