Nigerian Rapper Demands Return of Benin Bronzes from British Museum

London — Nigerian rapper and activist Emmanuel Great Okugun, known as Gee Baller and Yaya Bande, staged a protest at the British Museum. He stood in front of a display case of Benin Bronzes, holding a Nigerian flag inscribed with the words: "Stolen from Africa. Reparations!" A photo of the action, shared on social media, sparked widespread discussion about the return of African cultural heritage.

A Voice for Justice

Okugun is more than just a musician. His compositions, blending drill, trap, and afrobeats, speak of the pain of colonial history and pride in African identity. His 2022 album Black Slides & White Socks reflects the lives of Africans in a world where the West defines the value of history. At the museum, Okugun declared: "You keep our soul behind glass like a trophy."

Benin Bronzes: A Stolen History

In 1897, British troops looted Benin City, taking thousands of artifacts, including the sacred Benin Bronzes, which document the history of the Edo people. These relics remain in museums across Europe and the United States, despite Nigeria’s demands for their return. Okugun, whose roots trace back to Esanland, a region tied to the Benin Kingdom, sees this as a personal tragedy. "The bronzes are our memory, not exhibits," he says. "Imagine your family heirloom stolen and displayed in someone else’s home, with claims you can’t keep it."

Social Media Surge and Call to Action

Okugun shared a post on Instagram with the hashtag #BringBackOurBronzes, calling the bronzes "the voice of our ancestors." The post garnered thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. User @NaijaPride wrote: "Stop holding our history hostage! Bring the bronzes home!" Another commenter, @AfroSoul22, added: "This isn’t art; it’s our soul. Thank you, Gee Baller, for your courage!" The musician urged people to sign a Change.org petition titled Return Africa’s Stolen Heritage: Repatriation and Reparations Now, demanding the return of artifacts and compensation for colonial crimes. "This is a matter of respect," he emphasized. "If Europe acknowledges guilt for the Holocaust, why does it remain silent about the plunder of Africa?"

A Movement for Change

Okugun’s action is part of a global movement. In 2025, the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) opened in Benin City to house returned relics. Germany and the Netherlands have begun repatriating artifacts, but the British Museum, which holds the largest collection of Benin Bronzes, refuses to return them. "They fear setting a precedent," Okugun noted. "But Africa is no longer asking—it’s demanding."

Okugun’s music and activism are supported by thousands on social media.The petition Return Africa’s Stolen Heritage continues to gain signatures, aiming for 100,000 to ensure Africa’s voice is heard.