Nigeria and Germany have signed a contract for the return of 1,130 stolen Benin bronzes.

Many of the 1,130 seized Benin Bronzes, according to Minister of Information and Culture Lai Muhammed, arrived in German institutions through trade and donations.

The minister made this statement at the signing of a historic joint declaration between Nigeria and Germany in Berlin, according to a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Adeyemi.

While the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Annalena Baerbock, and the Minister of State for Culture and Media, Ms. Claudia Roth, represented the European nation at the forum, Mohammed and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, signed the declaration on behalf of Nigeria.

The minister claimed that the united statement would open the door for the Benin Bronzes to be sent back to Nigeria.

He said that neither Germany nor the plundering of the artefacts were responsible for colonising Nigeria.

He said: “We also want to most sincerely thank the authorities of the various German regions, cities, museums and institutions that have been working in concert to ensure the manifestation of the history-making event that we are witnessing today.

“By this singular action, Germany has taken the lead in correcting the wrongs of the past.

”Germany has gained more friends in Nigeria and all over the world by returning to Nigeria what rightfully belongs to it.”

On his part, Dada described Germany as the champion of justice and fairness.