After years of ignored pleas and stonewalled requests, deals were finally coming together to return some of Africa’s most prized treasures to the continent. The Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the German government announced they were returning scores of sculptures, plaques and ornaments, known as the Benin Bronzes, that British soldiers had…
During his last days in office, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria announced that he was transferring ownership of the precious artifacts to Ewuare II, the current oba ceremonial king of Benin, which has caused much confusion regarding the status of the bronzes and the proposed museum
Restitution efforts were underway, fueled by news that a museum was being planned in Nigeria to house the treasures. Then a surprising announcement sowed uncertainty.