Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared that all returned Benin Bronzes belong exclusively to the Oba of Benin's Palace, insisting the priceless artefacts should never be used for political purposes. He made the statement during a meeting with officials of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and a Swiss delegation at the Government House in Benin City on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
The governor described the return of the Benin Bronzes as a historic moment for the Benin Kingdom and commended the Swiss Government and other international partners for supporting the restitution process. According to him, the artefacts are far more than historical objects, stressing that they hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Benin people. Okpebholo said there was no justification for politicising the ownership of the bronzes, maintaining that they rightly belong in the Oba's Palace. He recalled that the artefacts were taken during the 1897 British expedition and expressed confidence that every looted item would eventually find its way back to Edo State. He also thanked the Swiss Government for returning the artefacts to their rightful owners.
The Benin Bronzes, a collection of thousands of metal plaques, sculptures, and ceremonial objects looted from the Kingdom of Benin by British forces in 1897, have been at the centre of one of the world's most prominent restitution debates. The artefacts, which hold immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Edo people, are scattered across museums and private collections in Europe and North America. In recent years, Nigeria has intensified its diplomatic campaign to secure the return of the bronzes, with several European and American museums agreeing to repatriate them. The Swiss Government recently returned 18 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, marking a significant step in the restitution process.
The issue of where the Benin Bronzes should be kept has remained a subject of debate. While the immediate past administration under former Governor Godwin Obaseki established the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) to house the artefacts, the Oba's Palace insisted they are sacred royal treasures that belong in the Benin Royal Museum. In 2023, the Federal Government officially recognised the Oba of Benin as the sole custodian of all repatriated Benin artefacts, while Governor Okpebholo has also questioned the transparency surrounding the EMOWAA project set up by the previous administration.
Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, who was present at the meeting, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Edo State Government and advancing efforts to recover more Benin artefacts from abroad. He disclosed that all the bronzes returned by Switzerland had arrived in Nigeria and were being kept in Lagos before their presentation to the Oba of Benin for ceremonial blessings.
Swiss Consul General in Lagos, Conny Camenzind, described the return of the artefacts as a major milestone in the relationship between Nigeria and Switzerland. She expressed optimism that the restitution process would further strengthen cooperation between both countries in the years ahead. Camenzind noted that the Swiss Government remains committed to supporting Nigeria's efforts to recover its cultural heritage and preserve it for future generations.
The meeting signals a renewed push for the repatriation of more looted artefacts and a clearer framework for their preservation. For the people of Benin Kingdom, the return of the bronzes is not just a cultural victory but a spiritual homecoming. As Governor Okpebholo put it, these artefacts are not mere museum pieces—they are the soul of a people, and they belong where they have always belonged: in the Oba's Palace.
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