The nation's impressive new Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) has ended up in the middle of regional political struggles during the time it was scheduled to – but did not manage – to begin operations to the general public for the initial occasion.
The Ambitious Project
The large-scale complex sits in the center of Benin City, capital of the southern region of Edo – and features an historical dig and buildings planned by renowned British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, best known for the Smithsonian African American Museum that was inaugurated in the US capital in 2016.
It has been 60 months in the creation – and is envisioned to showcase both the past and the modern times of cultural innovation in the area renowned for the historic artworks, historical pieces stolen from the royal palace by UK forces in the 19th Century.
Setup and Prospects
It is remarkable – and before the anticipated opening, Mowaa was energetic with staff resolved to prove it is a institution that can match established museums and galleries in the Europe and America.
Inside art restorers carefully revealed art pieces from secure wrapping, checking each piece and taking thorough records before placing them on display surfaces and plinths.
Experts calibrated environmental controls. In the materials science laboratory, staff members adjusted instruments designed to preserve ancient items.
Financial Backing and Economic Vision
The project has been the concept of businessman Phillip Ihenacho – now Mowaa's managing director.
"I aim us to have a major economic benefit on local residents in this region," he explained to media outlets, noting that he wanted to make Benin City "a cultural destination."
Mowaa, a non-profit Nigerian institution, aims at establishing over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and adding more than $80m per year to the area arts sector through partnerships and programming.
Financial Support and Government Issues
It has needed $25m to get here – money raised from various donors, including the international partners, the UK museum and the local administration.
But currently the local government has withdrawn support from beneath it – canceling the use of the land on which the building was erected.
An official representative stated this was because in the initial documents it had referred to itself as the Edo-named institution – and it had subsequently removed "the regional name" from its name.
Protests and Political Intervention
This declaration came after rallies on the weekend, when people stormed the complex insisting it be designated the Benin Royal Museum.
A disruptive assembly confronted foreign guests at the museum before the opening – compelling them to be escorted out under police escort.
Head of state Bola Tinubu has also intervened to try and resolve the dispute, setting up a special task force to address the controversy.
Governance Issues
But how has this evolved into so controversial – and such a reputation problem?
The majority of it comes down to internecine rivalries at a regional government level, as it was the former state leader Godwin Obaseki – whose administration ended recently – who was a key supporter of the museum.
And it seems the leadership of the new governor, a close ally of the local traditional ruler, called the royal figure, may seek increased control in the project. The activists on Sunday, for example, were insisting that the institution be placed under the supervision of the current Oba.
The Cultural Artifacts Debate
This brings into focus the disputed topic of the Benin Bronzes, one of the region's most renowned cultural treasures.
Because even if the museum does ultimately begin operations, these artifacts will be clearly not present.
They are metal, elephant tusk and wooden sculptures that once decorated the royal palace of the historical empire before colonial troops took them in the colonial era during a military operation.
Nowadays, thousands remain spread across museums in the West -- featuring the London museum, European center and the American museum.
Repatriation Campaigns
Their return has become one of the most debated conversations in the global art world. Roughly 150 have now been returned – and further are expected to return.
When proposals for the facility in the city were originally proposed in 2019, the influential figures on the national arts community hoped it would become their perfect venue – a state-of-the-art facility to display them to the world.
But the situation became complicated recently after the national authorities announced that the royal leader would be the rightful owner of any returned bronzes – and the royal household advocated for a museum under the royal family's direct control, against the wishes of the former governor.
Political Navigation
This left Mowaa in a challenging circumstance: maintaining a clear stance on return while being careful on ownership – and highlighting its broader vision, which led to|c
