The Benin Bronzes

The Benin Bronzes are a group of more than 3,000 brass plaques and sculptures dating mainly to the 16th and 17th century.

Written by Tomisin Awosika

Jun 16, 2022

A plaque removed from display at the National Museum of African Art that depicts a high-ranking warrior flanked by musicians and a page holding a ceremonial sword. National Museum of African Art.

On Monday, 13 June, the Smithsonian Board of Regents voted to repatriate to Nigeria 29 out of the 39 Benin Bronzes held in its keep at the National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) in Washington D.C. Although a date for the return has not been specified, the museum announced that it will repatriate the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), headed by Abba Isa Tijani.

As of November 2021, the Smithsonian had a collection of 39 Benin Bronzes on display in the NMAfA. The museum decided to take them off public view when concerns over showcasing looted artworks were considered. Later in March 2022, Smithsonian announced that it will officially return most of the bronzes to Nigeria as a means of ‘healing the wounds of the past.’ Tijani, who is the director-general of the NCMM, had applauded the museum, saying: ‘I commend the Smithsonian. We have not encountered another museum that has done as much.’

You've Reached Your Limit of Free Reading.

Ad-free reading experience
Focused consumption without interruptions.
Unlimited access to exclusive archives
Decades of reporting at your fingertips.
In-Depth Deep-Dive Reporting
Long-form journalism that matters.

About the Author

Tomisin Awosika

is a junior editor at The Republic.

LinkedInlinkedin.com Xx.com

Comments

SHOP THE REPUBLIC

Southwest Nigeria Is Not ‘Yorubaland’

Equating southwestern Nigeria to Yorubaland is a colonial oversimplification that requires critical re-evaluation. While the Yoruba are a dominant force in the region, the area is also the cultural homeland of the Ogu people, a distinct ethno-linguistic group with their own rich history, language and traditions.

Andile ZuluOctober 5, 2025

Subscribe to our free newsletter

You're in — welcome to The Republic

Complete your onboarding

Read

Connect

Apps

More

Read

Connect

Apps

More

The Benin Bronzes

You've Reached Your Limit of Free Reading.

Ad-free reading experience

Unlimited access to exclusive archives

In-Depth Deep-Dive Reporting

You've Reached Your Limit of Free Reading.

Ad-free reading experience

Unlimited access to exclusive archives

In-Depth Deep-Dive Reporting

Comments

SHOP THE REPUBLIC

Related Stories

Southwest Nigeria Is Not ‘Yorubaland’

The Betrayal of Mandela’s Apartheid Liberation Movement

Is This the Federation Nnamdi Azikiwe Fought For?

7 Books to Read if You Didn’t Study Nigerian History in School

The Rocky Independence of Congo-Brazzaville