Cambridge University has taken a significant step by formally transferring ownership of 116 Benin artefacts to Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments. This decision comes as a response to a formal request from the NCMM made in January 2022 for the return of items seized during the British colonization in 1897. The move is part of a broader acknowledgment and effort by the university to address colonial-era injustices regarding cultural heritage.

The artefacts, which include brass castings, ivory, and wooden sculptures, were originally taken during the violent 1897 sacking of Benin City, a dramatic event that marked a low point in the British Empire's expansion into Africa. The return of these cultural treasures is not only seen as an imperative act of restitution but also a potential step toward healing the historical wounds caused by colonialism. The university's Governing Council, alongside authorization from the UK Charity Commission, has supported the initiative, highlighting the growing dialogue around repatriating cultural items.

This return is not just an isolated incident; rather, it reflects a changing paradigm in how institutions are reckoning with their colonial legacies. By returning these artefacts, Cambridge University aligns itself with a growing number of organizations that are working to rectify historical wrongs, ultimately allowing the Nigerian people to reclaim a part of their heritage that has been held abroad for over a century.