Coronation Gallery Benin Bronzes Return marks Nigeria’s largest cultural repatriation, celebrating heritage, identity, and public access to lost treasures

Coronation Gallery Benin Bronzes Return represents a landmark moment in the restitution of Africa’s looted heritage, as Coronation Group partners with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to establish a permanent home for 119 repatriated artefacts in Benin City.

Also read: Nigeria receives 119 Benin bronzes from Netherlands in major restitution move

The gallery, located within the new NCMM Oba Ovonramwen Facility, will showcase bronzes returned from the Netherlands, marking the largest single repatriation since the 1897 British punitive expedition.

The announcement was made during a signing and handover ceremony at the National Museum in Lagos on 21 June 2025. Among the dignitaries present were the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Princess Iku Eware-Aimiuwu, daughter of the Oba of Benin; and Dewi van de Weerd, Dutch Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation. Executives from the Wereld Museum, the NCMM and Coronation Group were also in attendance.

The Coronation Gallery is set to open to the public later this year, providing a state-of-the-art facility for the conservation, education and display of the returned works.

It is designed not only as a space for viewing but also as a centre for learning and engagement, encouraging dialogue about heritage, history and restitution.

Speaking on the collaboration, Chairman of Coronation Group Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede expressed deep pride in supporting the return of the artworks.

“Far beyond their artistic value, these works represent the depth of our heritage and the strength of our collective identity. Their return marks a powerful restoration of history – a reminder of the dignity, creative excellence, and craftsmanship that have long defined us as a people,” he said.

Director-General of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, praised the role of the private sector in cultural preservation. He thanked Coronation Group for its continued support, emphasising the impact of public-private partnerships in advancing the nation’s heritage sector.

This partnership is part of Coronation Group’s broader commitment to the arts. In addition to the Benin project, the group is working with Tate in the United Kingdom to present “Nigerian Modernism” – the first major exhibition tracing the evolution of modern art in Nigeria.

Both projects aim to enhance access to African art and strengthen Nigeria’s global cultural footprint.

Coronation Group, headquartered in Lagos and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, delivers long-term financial solutions through asset management, merchant banking, insurance and technology.

With its deep roots in African investment and stewardship, the group continues to support legacy-building projects that preserve culture and advance prosperity across the continent.

Also read: Netherlands to return 119 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria in June

The Coronation Gallery will stand as a symbol of renewal and reconciliation, offering Nigerians and the world an opportunity to reconnect with stolen treasures and to honour the history they represent.