The Coronation Group has entered a partnership with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to establish a world-class gallery in Benin City to house and display the recently repatriated Benin Bronzes. The initiative is a major step forward in preserving and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
The partnership was formally announced following a signing and handover ceremony held on Friday, June 21, 2025, at the National Museum in Lagos. The gallery, named the Coronation Gallery, will be situated within the new NCMM Oba Ovonramwen Facility in Benin City, Edo State.
According to the announcement, the new gallery will display 119 Benin Bronzes recently returned to Nigeria by the Netherlands government. This is the largest single repatriation of the artefacts since their removal during the British military expedition of 1897. The Coronation Gallery is expected to be completed and open to the public before the end of 2025.
Chairman of Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, described the project as a historic and emotional milestone for Nigeria. He noted that the return of the Benin Bronzes is not just about recovering stolen artefacts, but also about restoring the dignity and identity of a people whose cultural legacy was violently disrupted over a century ago.
“This is a moment of restoration,” Aig-Imoukhuede said. “The return of the Benin Bronzes marks the beginning of a renewed chapter of cultural pride, artistic excellence, and public education in Nigeria. These pieces are not just art. They are history, memory, and symbols of the creative excellence that has always existed in our society.”
He added that Coronation Group’s involvement in the project is driven by its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s cultural and historical identity, and ensuring that African art is appreciated both locally and internationally.
Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, commended Coronation Group for its corporate vision and long-term investment in heritage preservation. Holloway said the partnership aligns with the federal government’s agenda to strengthen institutions involved in cultural conservation and historical education.
“This collaboration represents the kind of public-private partnership we need to preserve and showcase our national treasures. Coronation Group has demonstrated not just generosity but a deep understanding of the importance of cultural continuity,” Holloway stated.
The upcoming Coronation Gallery will serve multiple functions beyond displaying artefacts. It will include conservation labs, educational spaces, and digital archives to support both public learning and scholarly research. It will also serve as a centre for cultural tourism, drawing visitors from within and outside Nigeria to experience the history and artistry of the Benin Kingdom.
The partnership also extends beyond the shores of Nigeria. Coronation Group is working with Tate in the United Kingdom to co-present Nigerian Modernism, a new exhibition exploring the development of modern art in Nigeria. The show will be the first major UK exhibition dedicated to this theme and is part of Coronation’s broader goal to promote African art globally.
This international collaboration reflects a growing movement to correct historical imbalances in the global art world and restore African art to its rightful place. Many of the Benin Bronzes were taken by British soldiers during the colonial conquest of the Benin Kingdom in 1897 and have since been held in museums across Europe and North America.
Over the past decade, however, several Western institutions have returned artefacts to Nigeria and other African nations in response to global campaigns for restitution and justice. The Netherlands’ decision to return 119 artefacts is seen as one of the strongest commitments yet from a European country.
Coronation Group, a leading financial services and investment firm in Nigeria, is positioning itself as a key corporate player in the art and heritage space. Through its cultural engagement efforts, the group aims to democratise access to African art and foster deeper public appreciation of Nigeria’s creative legacy.
The Coronation Gallery project in Benin City is expected to boost tourism, inspire local talent, and contribute to the broader national effort to restore Nigeria’s cultural infrastructure. Stakeholders believe that partnerships like this are critical for sustainable cultural development and long-term nation-building.
