Germany will return 7,000 Benin artefacts to Nigeria before the October ceremony.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria stated that it is expected that Germany will return at least 7,000 cultural relics stolen from the Kingdom of Benin to Nigeria by October at the latest. Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the news at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Cultural Exhibition, which showcases the country’s diverse traditional cultural heritage, sites and festivals at the Nigerian Cultural Center in New York, the United States. 

Aduda also stated that the renovation of cultural relics will involve building a state-of-the-art museum in Edo Prefecture and training curators on how to use these cultural relics. 

He said that negotiations between Nigeria and Germany to return thousands of different Benin bronzes to the country have entered an advanced stage. 

The representative of Nigeria stated that the Ministry, together with relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), is at the forefront of the repatriation of thousands of Beninese artefacts from the Republic of Germany. 

He said: "We are cooperating with the appropriate MDA. We have had several high-level talks with the German Republic and are currently at the stage where thousands of artworks must be returned to Nigeria. 

"The German Republic wants to return more than 7,000 cultural relics to Nigeria. Pieces. 

Aduda added: "We have already said that the renovation is not only for returning but also for giving the country a modern museum. Edo. 25 curators will be responsible for the sustainable development of the museum. 

"We have come a long way and think it will end in October this year. 

"We hope this is a window to other European countries and return what they took away from us years ago the US. "