🔗 Share this article

Nigeria's stunning new Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) has ended up in the center of regional political struggles during the time it was expected to – but failed – to open its doors to the visitors for the very first time.

The Ambitious Project

The 15-acre campus stands in the core of the Edo state capital, capital of the southern area of Edo – and includes an excavation site and structures planned by renowned Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, most famous for the National Museum of African American History and Culture that began operations in Washington in 2016.

It has been half a decade in the development – and is planned to honor both the past and the present of creativity in the locale renowned for the Benin Bronzes, historical pieces taken from the king's palace by British soldiers in the 1800s.

Preparation and Promise

It is remarkable – and prior to the scheduled opening, Mowaa was energetic with workers committed to prove it is a institution that can rival established museums and galleries in the Europe and America.

Inside art restorers meticulously unwrapped art pieces from safety materials, checking each artifact and taking thorough notes before positioning them on display surfaces and plinths.

Technicians calibrated temperature regulation systems. In the materials science laboratory, personnel adjusted instruments meant to maintain ancient items.

Financial Backing and Economic Vision

The venture has been the brainchild of entrepreneur Phillip Ihenacho – now Mowaa's managing director.

"I hope us to have a major economic impact on local residents in the vicinity," he stated to the press, noting that he aspired to make this urban center "an arts hub."

Mowaa, a not-for-profit national foundation, envisions itself establishing in excess of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and adding over $80m annually to the area arts sector through alliances and activities.

Funding Sources and Political Challenges

It has taken $25m to get here – money gathered from different donors, including the European governments, the UK museum and the Edo state government.

But currently the regional administration has revoked permission from below it – canceling the use of the property on which the museum was built.

An Edo state spokesperson stated this was because in the original paperwork it had identified as EMOWAA – and it had subsequently dropped "the state identifier" from its title.

Unrest and Official Response

This declaration was preceded by demonstrations on recently, when people stormed the complex demanding it be designated the Museum of the Benin Kingdom.

A rowdy assembly harassed overseas dignitaries at the museum ahead of the launch – forcing them to be hurried away under security protection.

President Bola Tinubu has additionally stepped in to work to address the dispute, setting up a high-level committee to manage the situation.

Governance Issues

But how has this become so politicised – and such a reputation problem?

The majority of it comes down to internal conflicts at a regional government level, as it was the former state leader Godwin Obaseki – whose governance ended last year – who was a key supporter of the initiative.

And it looks like the government of the current leader, a key associate of the local traditional ruler, known as the Oba, may seek more of a stake in the initiative. The demonstrators on that day, for instance, were demanding that the facility be positioned under the authority of Oba Ewuare II.

The Benin Bronzes Controversy

This brings into focus the disputed topic of the historical artworks, one of Africa's most renowned artistic heritage.

Because even if the institution does eventually welcome visitors, these bronzes will be conspicuously absent.

They are metal, elephant tusk and timber sculptures that once decorated the monarch's home of the historical empire before British soldiers looted them in the colonial era during a military operation.

Nowadays, thousands continue to be distributed across institutions in the West -- such as the British Museum, German museum and the American museum.

Restitution Efforts

Their repatriation has become one of the most disputed debates in the worldwide cultural sector. Roughly 150 have currently been returned – and additional are scheduled to be repatriated.

When ideas for the facility in Benin City were originally proposed in the pre-pandemic era, the key players on the country's cultural sector anticipated it would become their perfect venue – a state-of-the-art complex to show them off to the global audience.

But the issues became confused recently after the central administration declared that the Oba would be the rightful owner of returned objects – and the royal household pushed for a museum under the royal family's direct control, against the preferences of the former governor.

Strategic Positioning

This placed Mowaa in a challenging circumstance: expressing a specific viewpoint on restitution while being careful on guardianship – and highlighting its broader vision, which led to|c