Shehu Sani To FG: Repatriated Artifacts Should Be Leased To Foreign Museums

• British soldiers had seized thousands of metal castings and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin, then separate from British-ruled Nigeria, in 1897.

A former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has advised the Nigerian government to lease recovered artifacts to foreign museums with a view to raising funds to maintain the ones in the country.

Sani made the statement via his verified twitter handle on Thursday in reaction to the University of Aberdeen’s announcement that it is ready to return a Benin bronze sculpture pilfered by British soldiers in 1897.

Read also: British University To Return Benin Bronze To Nigeria ‘Within Weeks’

“The return of the Benin artifacts forcefully taken by British Soldiers in 1897 closed a chapter in historical heists.African states should think of LEASING some of these objects to foreign museums to enable them raise funds to maintain those at home. @aberdeenuni @britishmuseum, ” his tweet read.

The return of the bronze casting will be one latest as pressure mounts on foreign museums holding the ancient artifacts to repatriate them to their countries of origin.

Similarly, more than 500 historical objects including 440 bronzes from the Kingdom of Benin, are confirmed to be currently held at the Ethnological Museum in the German capital.

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