Sweden returns 39 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, 129 years after they were looted

Sweden has returned 39 Benin Bronzes and other artefacts to Nigeria, 129 years after they were looted from the Benin Kingdom.
The handover
Representatives of Sweden's National Museums of World Culture formally handed over the objects at a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, 12 November 2026. They will be received by Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The collection includes cultural objects known as Emwin Arre. Six of the 39 artefacts will remain in Sweden under a 10-year loan arrangement.
Why it matters
The objects were among thousands taken by British forces who attacked and burned Benin City in 1897 before bringing the kingdom under British rule. Michael Barrett, curator for Africa at Sweden's National Museums of World Culture, described the return as an important step in addressing colonial-era looting of cultural property.
Background
Nigeria has been campaigning for decades for the return of the Benin Bronzes, which are held in museums and private collections around the world. The Netherlands returned 119 objects in 2025, and Germany handed over 20 Benin Bronzes in 2022. Many more remain abroad.
- 39 artefacts were returned at a Lagos ceremony.
- Six will stay in Sweden on a 10-year loan.
- They were looted from Benin in 1897.
