The Benin belongings, which were on display as part of the Benin Dues exhibition at UZH’s Ethnographic Museum until 8 March 2026, are currently undergoing comprehensive digitalization.
Fourteen of the objects will be transferred to the Nigerian National Museum in Lagos this summer, where they will be handed over to the NCMM, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Courtesy University of Zurich
Alongside the UZH Ethnographic Museum, Museum Rietberg and the Musée d’ethnographie de Genève (MEG) will also restitute looted works from the Kingdom of Benin to Nigeria.
The directors of these three Swiss museums have issued a joint statement:
- “Returning the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria makes it possible for the country to independently research, preserve and share its own history.
- We are responsible for this transfer of ownership as Swiss museums and institutions aware of our ethical responsibilities, actively seeking as we do a dialogue with the societies of origin.
- This represents a necessary stage in coming to terms with history and acts as a sign of respect, symbolizing international cooperation in action.”
