The Nigerian government has officially recognized the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, as the owner and guardian of the looted artifacts. The Benin Bronzes are a group of thousands of objects plundered by British troops from the Kingdom of Benin during the 19th century. The hoard includes figurines, tusks, sculptures of Benin’s rulers, and an ivory mask primarily dispersed among European and US museums.
A number of the bronzes have already been returned to Nigeria, including ones that previously belonged to London’s Horniman Museum and Gardens and the city of Glasgow in Scotland. Local Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki supports the housing of the Benin Bronzes at the Edo Museum of West African Art, while Ewuare II has said he would like the bronzes to be held by his family in the royal museum or palace.
