The Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, led by Hannatu Musawa, has begun discussions with the Swiss government on cultural cooperation and the repatriation of Nigerian artefacts currently held in Swiss museums, including monoliths and bronze pieces
During a courtesy visit to Musawa in Abuja on Friday, Swiss Ambassador Patrick Egloff expressed Switzerland’s interest in forging bilateral agreements and strengthening cultural diplomacy.
“This is the first time a Swiss ambassador is meeting with a Nigerian Minister of Art and Culture. There is a lot happening, and we would be very interested in building more institutional cooperation with the ministry. We think this restitution would be a very good opportunity to strengthen our ties,” Egloff said.
The ambassador revealed that the process of returning the artefacts began three years ago, with plans to hand over the bronze pieces via the Nigerian Embassy by the end of the year.
Responding, Musawa thanked the Swiss government for its efforts, stressing the significance of reclaiming the artefacts for Nigeria’s cultural heritage. She noted that the meeting marked a key step in deepening cultural ties and exploring new areas of collaboration between the two countries.
Musawa highlighted potential cooperation in sectors such as animation, design, architecture, hospitality, and tourism.
“It is very important for Nigeria to have these artefacts returned and to have a broader conversation with Switzerland about how the restitution will be carried out. Discussions with the Swiss Minister of Culture will be crucial as we explore cooperation opportunities in areas like animation, design, architecture, hospitality, and tourism,” she said.
Both parties agreed to continue talks and pursue opportunities for collaboration in the arts and cultural sectors.
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