At a ceremony in the capital, Abuja, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gave 22 artifacts that were stolen in the 19th century back to Nigeria.
This set of Benin Bronzes was given back after an agreement was made earlier this year to change ownership of more than 1,000 of these valuable pieces.
Remember that Germany and Nigeria signed a deal in July to put all 1,130 Benin Bronzes in public museums in Germany.
Lai Mohammed, who is the Minister of Information and Culture, spoke at the event and thanked the German government for returning the stolen items.
He did, however, remind the German government that Nigeria wants all of its stolen or illegally exported artifacts back, not just the Benin Bronzes.
“True justice will be seen to have been done only when these artifacts are returned,” he said.
Mohammed also used the chance to tell other countries that had stolen artifacts from Nigeria to do the right thing and give them back.
