THE SMITHSONIAN Institution in America has agreed to return its collection of Benin Bronzes – but Britain is still determined to hold onto its looted artefacts.

The landmark deal will see 39 artefacts finally repatriated back to Nigeria, according to a report in The Washington Post.

The move is expected to put pressure on other institutions like the British Museum, who refuse to return its collection of stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.

Abba Isa Tijani, director general of Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) told The Washington Post, the deal is an important milestone in fight to have looted artefacts returned to Africa. 

“I commend the Smithsonian,” Tijani said. “We have not encountered another museum that has done as much.”

The deal by the world’s largest cultural organisation could be signed as early as next month.

Earlier this month, the British Museum told The Voice, they plan to only “lend” their collection of pillaged Benin Bronzes, but have no plans to give them up.

The museum disclosed it currently has 928 objects and approximately 300 historic photographs in their possession that are associated with the Benin Kingdom, but said it’s their mission to make the artefacts available to everyone from the UK. 

Speaking to The Voice a spokesperson for the British Museum said: “It is the role of the British Museum to make the permanent collection freely available for anyone in the world to enjoy wherever they are. 

“You can visit in London, engage with the 4.5m objects available online, see our touring exhibitions and view important objects loaned around the world. 

“The collection empowers visitors to navigate and understand the complex relationships between empires, nations and peoples whether through trade, conquest, conflict or peaceful exchange.”

Leading campaigners have criticised the museum for failing to acknowledge the items have deep cultural, religious and spiritual significance.

The new move by the Smithsonian Institution signals a change in its collection policies and will be the first deal of its kind under their new policy of ethical returns.

The arrangement will include details of potential long-term loans, education programs in Nigeria and shared exhibitions. 

The institution will return the priceless cultural items that it has legal title to own, to Nigeria, and the items will be displayed at the National Museum of Benin in Benin City. 

The cultural institution will also pay for all the costs involved with the return, according to reports. 

There are plans for some of the items in the Smithsonian collection to be returned to Washington on long-term loan as part of an exhibition, which will be created by Nigerian experts. 

“This exhibition will be from the perspective of Nigeria and how we want them to be displayed,” Tijani told The Washington Post.

“What is more important than being in control of how your heritage, your artifacts, are displayed?”

French art historians estimate that some 90 per cent of Africa’s cultural heritage is still being held in Europe.