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Tinubu’s Mandate From Day One Was To Bring Back All Nigerian Artefacts, Says Culture Minister Musawa

Culture and tourism minister Hannatu Musawa says President Tinubu’s mandate is to ensure all looted Nigerian artefacts are returned. 

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In a historic moment that marks Nigeria’s single largest physical repatriation of cultural property, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, declared that the return of 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands is a fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cultural mandate.

Speaking during the official signing ceremony of the handover of the Benin Bronzes held at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, on Saturday, Musawa said, “From the very beginning, this was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and this was his mission. He said that if nothing, you must bring back all the artefacts that belong to Nigeria. This is something that he was very passionate about.”

According to the minister, President Tinubu’s commitment to cultural restitution was one of the driving forces for the return of the Benin Bronzes—precious artefacts looted during the British invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897. She described the handover not as a mere exchange of objects but as “a restitution of our dignity, of our identity, of our values, of our ideals.”

She added, “It is a shining moment specifically for our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This was his commitment, this was the focus from the very beginning, of putting this ministry of art, culture and creative economy as it was then. One of the things he wanted was for us to focus on returning these artefacts. For many decades, Nigeria has spoken about our lost artefacts and returning them, but this is one president that has really put all the elements in place and given all the support for us, not only as a ministry but NCMM as well and to empower us and to ensure that we have all the rudiments that will allow us be able to return these artefacts to where they belong in Benin kingdom.”

The bronzes, which she said embody the “soul and spirit” of the Benin Kingdom, were hailed as masterpieces that reflect an era of remarkable cultural and artistic brilliance. “Each bronze carries with it a fragment of the story of our ancestors, our heritage, and our shared humanity,” Musawa noted, urging Nigerians to embrace the artefacts not only as relics of the past but as tools for national healing, unity, and historical consciousness.

She also praised the Dutch government’s gesture as a “profound” act of goodwill and solidarity. “What you have done today really goes beyond just a mere gesture to Nigeria. This is a statement for the African people,” she said, commending the Netherlands for choosing to be “on the right side of history.”

Musawa also highlighted the broader global movement towards cultural restitution, referencing Nigeria’s agreement to return 1,130 Benin bronzes—part of a growing effort to reclaim heritage and correct historical wrongs. “This reflects an evolving global consciousness that recognises not only the injustices of the past but also the pressing need to address them in meaningful ways,” she said.

But beyond global praise and diplomatic success, the minister emphasised the need for local responsibility. She urged Nigerians to look inward, advocating for investments in preservation, public education, and cultural institutions. “It is our responsibility to safeguard these treasures, to invest in the preservation of our museums and cultural institutions, and to educate future generations about the rich tapestry of heritage that defines us as a people.”

The return of the 119 bronzes is not just a ceremonial event—it is a turning point in the fight to reclaim Nigeria’s stolen heritage and a rallying call for national pride, unity, and cultural rebirth.

Melissa Enoch

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