Cambridge University has removed a Benin bronze statue of a cockerel, known as an “okukor,” from display at Jesus College after students campaigned for its removal. The bronze was looted by British colonizers from what is now Nigeria in the 19th century, and students voted for the artwork to be returned to Nigeria. The college is now considering repatriation and has permanently removed the statue from its dining hall, with students proposing that a new commissioned piece replace it.
The removal matters because it reflects growing pressure on British institutions to address colonial-era loot, particularly Benin bronzes, hundreds of which were taken by the British army in 1897. Although individual statues are occasionally returned, the British Museum still holds an extensive collection, and Nigeria has repeatedly requested repatriation. This student-led action at a prestigious university adds momentum to the broader restitution debate and could influence other institutions to reconsider their holdings of looted cultural heritage.