00:05For over a century, several artifacts have remained far from home.
00:10They were taken during the Benin expedition of 1897 when British forces looted Benin city.
00:18Nigeria is preparing for some of their return, upgrading facilities to receive and preserve them.
00:24Africa had better civilization way before colonialism. The historical significance of these artifacts goes far beyond their physical appearance.
00:34They represent the identity, the memory and the sovereignty of the Benin people.
00:40A joint statement by the University of Cambridge authorities and Nigeria's Commission for Museums and Monuments announced the return.
00:49But it noted that while legal ownership had now been transferred, the physical return of most artifacts will happen later,
00:58with few expected to remain temporarily on display in Cambridge.
01:03The move is part of a broader shift as institutions across Europe begin to address colonial era collections.
01:11Germany has transferred ownership of more than 1,000 Benin bronzes to Nigeria.
01:17The Netherlands has returned over 100, while France is moving to ease legal barriers to restitution.
01:26But many institutions, especially in the UK, are still holding on to large collections.
01:33Questions remain over where the artifacts will be housed, who controls them, and whether Nigeria's museums are fully equipped.
01:41But advocates argue delays only prolong a historical injustice.
01:46It's widely seen as positive steps towards culture identity and historical accountability, not just as an object, but as ownership
01:56of history.
01:56They've made quite a lot of money with all these artifacts.
02:00You know, the majority of these artifacts were stored in their museum, where people used to come and, you know,
02:08to enter their museum.
02:09They pay money.
02:10So what are they paying us in return for all the revenue they've made from these, our stolen artifacts?
02:19Although thousands of stolen artifacts are still scattered across Western museums, with each return, pressure is mounting.
02:29For Nigeria, this is not just about art. It's about history, identity, and justice.
02:37Kilitia Mekalam, CGT and Abuja, Nigeria.
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