🔗 Share this article

The nation's impressive new Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) has found itself in the middle of local power politics during the period it was scheduled to – but was unable – to open its doors to the general public for the very first time.

The Major Initiative

The large-scale complex stands in the core of the Edo state capital, administrative center of the southern state of Edo – and includes an excavation site and structures created by celebrated Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, particularly noted for the Smithsonian African American Museum that began operations in the US capital in 2016.

It has been 60 months in the development – and is envisioned to celebrate both the past and the present of artistic expression in the region famous for the historic artworks, historical pieces taken from the king's palace by UK forces in the 19th Century.

Setup and Prospects

It is remarkable – and ahead of the scheduled opening, Mowaa was energetic with staff determined to prove it is a institution that can compete with well-known art institutions in the Western world.

Internally art restorers meticulously revealed cultural items from protective packaging, inspecting each item and taking detailed documentation before arranging them on display surfaces and plinths.

Specialists calibrated environmental controls. In the research lab, personnel calibrated devices designed to conserve centuries-old items.

Funding and Economic Goals

The project has been the brainchild of investor Phillip Ihenacho – currently Mowaa's chief executive.

"I hope us to have a major economic impact on area populations in this region," he explained to the press, adding that he hoped to make Benin City "an arts hub."

Mowaa, a non-profit local organization, aims at creating more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and adding above $80m annually to the local cultural industry through alliances and activities.

Investment and Administrative Problems

It has needed $25m to reach this point – capital collected from multiple donors, including the French and German governments, the British Museum and the regional authorities.

But at present the local government has pulled the rug from beneath it – revoking the occupancy of the property on which the museum was built.

An Edo state spokesperson stated this was because in the original paperwork it had referred to itself as Edo Museum of West African Art – and it had subsequently dropped "the regional name" from its designation.

Demonstrations and Government Action

This declaration was preceded by demonstrations on the weekend, when people invaded the facility insisting it be called the Benin Royal Museum.

A rowdy group harassed foreign guests at the venue before the launch – compelling them to be hurried away under security protection.

National leader Bola Tinubu has also become involved to attempt to settle the tensions, creating a special task force to do some damage control.

Political Complexities

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

The majority of it stems from internecine rivalries at a area administrative level, as it was Edo's previous governor Godwin Obaseki – whose governance finished the previous year – who was a key supporter of the project.

And it looks like the leadership of the current leader, a key associate of the regional monarch, referred to as the Oba, may desire increased control in the project. The activists on that day, for instance, were calling for that the museum be placed under the control of Oba Ewuare II.

The Historical Objects Discussion

This emphasizes the disputed topic of the cultural artifacts, one of the continent's most renowned cultural treasures.

Because although the museum does finally welcome visitors, these artifacts will be conspicuously absent.

They are brass, elephant tusk and timber artworks that once decorated the royal palace of the ancient kingdom before UK forces stole them in the late nineteenth century during a colonial invasion.

Nowadays, thousands continue to be spread across institutions in Europe and North America -- such as the London museum, European center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Restitution Efforts

Their return has become one of the most contested debates in the international art community. About 150 have now come back – and more are scheduled to be repatriated.

When plans for the facility in Benin City were initially revealed in 2019, the key players on the national arts community hoped it would become their ideal location – a modern facility to exhibit them to the world.

But the issues became confused two years ago after the national authorities declared that the royal leader would be the legal custodian of repatriated artifacts – and the palace advocated for a museum under the monarch's supervision, against the desires of the ex-leader.

Political Navigation

This placed Mowaa in a difficult situation: maintaining a definite position on restitution while staying tactful on custodianship – and highlighting its broader vision, which led to|c