The Republic of Türkiye has formally invited the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish ownership and submit official claims for 76 wooden and metal artefacts believed to be of Nigerian origin, in a move that could advance ongoing global efforts to repatriate African cultural heritage.
According to diplomatic and cultural heritage sources, the artefacts—comprising intricately crafted wooden and metal objects—are currently in Türkiye’s custody and are suspected to have originated from various parts of Nigeria. Turkish authorities have requested that Nigeria provide historical documentation, provenance records, and other verifiable evidence to confirm ownership before any repatriation process can proceed.
The invitation reflects Türkiye’s stated commitment to international conventions on the protection of cultural property and the return of artefacts removed from their countries of origin through illicit trade, colonial-era extraction, or unclear acquisition processes. Officials noted that the request for formal claims is a necessary legal step to ensure transparency and compliance with international heritage laws.
Nigeria has, in recent years, intensified efforts to recover looted and trafficked cultural artefacts from museums and private collections across Europe and other parts of the world. High-profile returns, including the Benin Bronzes, have renewed global attention on Africa’s cultural restitution campaigns and strengthened Nigeria’s institutional framework for heritage recovery.
Cultural experts say the artefacts in question could hold significant historical, artistic, and spiritual value, offering deeper insight into Nigeria’s precolonial societies and craftsmanship traditions. They added that successful verification and return would not only enrich Nigeria’s national collections but also reinforce cultural identity and historical continuity.
The Federal Government is expected to work through relevant agencies, including the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), to assess the artefacts and respond formally to Türkiye’s request. If ownership is confirmed, discussions on the modalities and timeline for repatriation are expected to follow, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing cultural heritage recovery efforts.
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