The German government returned 22 repatriated Benin Bronze to the Nigerian government on Tuesday, December 20.
Recall that in July this year, Germany signed the declaration with Nigeria to release all 1,130 Benin Bronzes in German public museums.
At a ceremony held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja, the German authorities led by the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, repatriated the 22 Benin Bronze to the Nigerian government.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, thanked the German government for doing the right thing by repatriating the stolen items. He however reminded the German government that Nigeria is not only seeking the return of Benin Bronzes but all Nigerian antiquities that were illegally or illicitly exported..
”It is upon returning these artefacts that true justice will be seen to have been done.” he said
Mohammed also seized the opportunity to remind other countries with artifacts stolen from Nigeria to honorably return them.