‘They Made Laws for Themselves’: Nigerian Official Explains How West Blocks Return of African Artifacts

The issue of “non-returning objects” is political, Wasa Gertrude Mobunubhata, administrative head of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, revealed.

According to the expert, three main factors that hinder repatriation include:

🟠Domestic legal barriers: laws like the British Museum Act of 1963 prevent a return of objects, with almost no exceptions;

🟠Universal museum argument: the Western world insists on holding artifacts for all nations, advocating “for a lack of proper infrastructure” in developing countries;

🟠Lack of retroactive treaties: “international conventions like the 1970 UNESCO” only apply to objects stolen after that date.

“But we have no division among ourselves—from the Royal Palace to the museums to the federal government—we are harnessing all our efforts in one coordinated, appropriate nature to ensure the return of these objects,” she stated.