Museum pavilion for restituted art from a colonial context

Context

In July 2022, Germany and Nigeria signed a joint declaration of intent in Abuja to return around 1,100 artefacts – including the so-called Benin Bronzes. The Benin Bronzes are metal plaques and sculptures created in the historical kingdom of Benin between the 16th and 18th century, in what is now Nigeria. They are considered one of Africa’s most important art treasures. During the colonisation of Africa, they were looted and transported to the United Kingdom, the USA and other European countries, including Germany.

In order to support the local infrastructure for the proper storage and appropriate exhibition of the repatriated artefacts, the return of the treasures is to be accompanied by the construction of a new museum pavilion on the grounds of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City which is to cooperate with the German Archaeological Institute. The aim is to develop the MOWAA into a research centre and cultural history museum, and to deepen cultural cooperation between Germany and Nigeria as a whole.

Objective

With the construction of the new museum pavilion in Benin City, the conditions have been created for the appropriate storage and exhibition of the (unconditionally) returned Benin Bronzes and other artefacts.

Approach

The project supports the German Federal Foreign Office in improving the local infrastructure for storing and exhibiting works of art. This is reflected in the following activities:

• Supervising construction of the new museum pavilion on the MOWAA site (first construction phase) with organisational, economic and technical responsibility.
• Implementing administration of the co-financing of the first construction phase: With the help of a financing agreement with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), the co-financing of the first construction phase of the pavilion by the Federal Foreign Office is to be implemented swiftly, economically and efficiently.
• Expert construction advice for the German Federal Foreign Office: The expert support forms the basis for being able to realise the co-financing of the new museum pavilion in a targeted and high-quality manner.

Last update: October 2024