By Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

The Federal Government has demanded a full and unconditional return of the 1,130 Benin bronzes that were reportedly looted from Nigeria in the 19th Century and domiciled in German museums.

Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed made the demand in Berlin, Germany, during separate meetings with the German Minister of State for Culture, Prof. Monika Grutters, and the German Foreign Minister, Mr Heiko Maas.

Mohammed, according to a statement by Mr Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media), Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, was reacting to comments by Prof. Grutters that Germany was ready to make a “substantial return” of the 1,130 looted artefacts.

But the Nigerian minister said the return should be total rather than substantial.

Read Also: Minister renews call for return of looted Nigerian artefacts

Mohammed, who led the Nigerian delegation to the talks, also said the issue of provenance, which has to do with the place of origin of the artefacts, should not be allowed to unduly delay the repatriation of the artworks.

“That they are known as Benin bronzes is already a confirmation of their source of origin (which is Benin, Edo State, Nigeria),” he said.

The Minister, in a meeting with the German Foreign Minister, insisted that the artefacts should be returned to Nigeria with “absolutely no conditions attached.”

He described the repatriation of the artefacts as an idea whose time has come.

Saying there was the need for the parties to commit to definite timelines for the return of the Benin bronzes; Mohammed said it was necessary to conclude necessary negotiations in the very short term.

The Minister said the current discussions between Nigeria and Germany on the return of the artworks were not just the end of an era but to begin a new vista of stronger relations, pivoted by cultural diplomacy, between both countries.

He thanked the government of Germany for taking the lead in the global efforts to repatriate all artefacts that were looted from Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

“We see Germany as a leader in the efforts to take practical steps to repatriate our stolen artefacts and we hope Germany will sustain that lead,” Mohammed said.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is also a member of the Nigerian delegation, said a “transformational museum is being built in Benin-City to house the artefacts upon their return,” as part of a new cultural district in the city.

The governor said he was attending the talks to demonstrate the strong partnership involving the Federal Government, the (Benin) royal family and the people of Edo State.

Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, said the repatriation of Benin bronzes should be seen as an opportunity to take the co-operation between Nigeria and Germany to a greater height.

“This is an opportunity that must not be missed. Minor issues should not delay the repatriation,” he said, hailing Germany for taking the lead in the repatriation.

Grutters said: “The way we deal with the issue of Benin bronzes is important to addressing our colonial past.”

The German Minister described the matter as “an important personal concern.”

The Nigerian delegation, which also included the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monument (NCMM), Prof. Abba Tijani, and Benin Crown Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare was taken on a guided tour of the Humboldt-Forum, a royal palace-turned museum in the heart of Berlin, which houses artworks from around the world.