🔗 Share this article

The nation's stunning new West African Art Museum (Mowaa) has found itself in the center of area political conflicts during the period it was expected to – but was unable – to begin operations to the public for the initial occasion.

The Grand Vision

The large-scale campus is located in the heart of Benin's urban center, capital of the southern region of Edo – and contains an excavation site and structures planned by celebrated dual heritage architect Sir David Adjaye, most famous for the National Museum of African American History and Culture that was inaugurated in the US capital in 2016.

It has been 60 months in the creation – and is envisioned to celebrate both the history and the present of cultural innovation in the region famous for the Benin Bronzes, historical pieces looted from the royal palace by UK forces in the nineteenth century.

Setup and Prospects

It is impressive – and ahead of the anticipated opening, Mowaa was buzzing with staff resolved to demonstrate it is a place that can rival established museums and galleries in the Western world.

Internally art restorers meticulously opened artworks from protective packaging, examining each item and taking thorough notes before positioning them on exhibition areas and bases.

Experts fine-tuned temperature regulation systems. In the scientific facility, personnel adjusted instruments intended to preserve centuries-old artefacts.

Financial Backing and Economic Vision

The project has been the idea of businessman Phillip Ihenacho – now Mowaa's managing director.

"I hope us to have a significant economic impact on local residents in this region," he explained to the press, adding that he hoped to make Benin City "a cultural destination."

Mowaa, a not-for-profit Nigerian institution, sees itself generating in excess of 30,000 work positions and adding over $80m each year to the area arts sector through partnerships and events.

Funding Sources and Political Challenges

It has needed $25m to achieve this stage – money raised from multiple donors, such as the French and German governments, the British Museum and the regional authorities.

But currently the local government has pulled the rug from below it – terminating the use of the site on which the facility was constructed.

An government communicator explained this was because in the early agreements it had identified as Edo Museum of West African Art – and it had since removed "Edo" from its designation.

Unrest and Official Response

This declaration was preceded by rallies on recently, when people stormed the campus demanding it be named the Royal Benin Museum.

A boisterous crowd harassed overseas dignitaries at the venue before the opening – requiring them to be quickly removed under police escort.

Head of state Bola Tinubu has also become involved to try and resolve the conflict, setting up a high-level committee to manage the situation.

Political Complexities

But in what way has this turned into so divisive – and such a PR disaster?

A great deal of it comes down to local power struggles at a area administrative level, as it was the ex-administrator Godwin Obaseki – whose governance ended the previous year – who was a key supporter of the museum.

And it appears the government of the current leader, a key associate of the area king, referred to as the royal figure, may want greater involvement in the project. The protesters on the weekend, for instance, were demanding that the institution be positioned under the supervision of the royal leader.

The Historical Objects Discussion

This brings into focus the disputed topic of the historical artworks, one of the continent's most renowned cultural treasures.

Because even if the museum does eventually welcome visitors, these objects will be conspicuously absent.

They are metal, ivory and timber sculptures that once adorned the royal palace of the ancient kingdom before colonial troops stole them in the colonial era during a colonial invasion.

Nowadays, thousands continue to be scattered across museums in Europe and North America -- such as the British Museum, European center and the American museum.

Restitution Efforts

Their homecoming has become one of the most contested conversations in the worldwide cultural sector. About 150 have currently been returned – and more are due to follow.

When plans for the museum in the urban center were first announced in the pre-pandemic era, the key players on the country's cultural sector hoped it would become their perfect venue – a state-of-the-art facility to show them off to the international community.

But the waters were muddied some time back after the central administration stated that the traditional ruler would be the proper guardian of any returned bronzes – and the palace advocated for a facility under the monarch's supervision, against the preferences of the ex-leader.

Political Navigation

This placed Mowaa in a challenging circumstance: maintaining a definite position on return while being careful on custodianship – and emphasising its wider mission, which led to|c