Protests Force indefinite Postponement of Edo Museum of West African Art Opening

The long-awaited opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, has been suspended indefinitely following a violent protest that disrupted a private pre-opening event on Sunday.

According to officials, the museum — which was scheduled to officially open on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 — was forced to postpone its launch after a group of protesters stormed the premises, causing minor damage and panic among guests.

Founded five years ago by Nigerian businessman Phillip Ihenacho, MOWAA was established with the support of the former Edo State governor and backing from international partners, including the French and German governments, the British Museum, and several private donors.

The museum, envisioned as a cultural and research hub for West African art and heritage, includes exhibition spaces, archives, and artist residencies. Sunday’s pre-opening event had been organised for donors and art professionals.

However, the occasion turned chaotic when about 20 men, some wielding wooden bats, invaded the courtyard, forcing attendees to take refuge inside the building.

“Protesters entered and began vandalising part of the reception pavilion, where we receive visitors, then they stormed inside the front section, where the exhibition area is located,”
Ihenacho told AFP, adding that guests were later evacuated to a nearby hotel after a two-hour standoff.

The motive behind the protest remains unclear, though Ihenacho alleged that the group appeared to be “representatives from the palace” of Oba Ewuare II, the traditional ruler of Benin.

The museum has been at the center of political and traditional tensions, reportedly involving the former governor and his successor, who is aligned with the Oba’s palace. The monarch has previously insisted that he should oversee the museum’s operations.

The dispute also touches on the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes — centuries-old artworks looted by British soldiers during the 1897 Benin Expedition and now held in museums across Europe and the United States.

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, condemned the incident, warning that it undermines national cultural preservation efforts.

“The reported disruption at MOWAA not only endangers a treasured cultural asset but also threatens the peaceful environment necessary for cultural exchange and the preservation of our artistic patrimony,” she said in a statement.

Musawa added that the ministry is working with the Edo State Government and security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure accountability.

“We are in active consultation with the Edo State government, security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to establish a full understanding of the circumstances and to ensure an appropriate and proportionate response,” she added.

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