🔗 Share this article

The nation's impressive new West African Art Museum (Mowaa) has ended up in the center of regional political struggles during the week it was expected to – but did not manage – to open its doors to the general public for the very first time.

The Major Initiative

The six-hectare campus stands in the heart of Benin City, main city of the southern state of Edo – and includes an archaeological dig and buildings planned by high-profile Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, particularly noted for the National Museum of African American History and Culture that was inaugurated in Washington in 2016.

It has been 60 months in the creation – and is designed to honor both the history and the modern times of cultural innovation in the locale famous for the cultural artifacts, historical pieces looted from the city's royal palace by British soldiers in the 19th Century.

Preparation and Promise

It is notable – and ahead of the planned opening, Mowaa was energetic with workers resolved to demonstrate it is a place that can compete with renowned art institutions in the West.

Within conservators meticulously revealed cultural items from secure wrapping, checking each item and taking meticulous notes before placing them on exhibition areas and stands.

Specialists calibrated climate control systems. In the research lab, personnel calibrated equipment intended to preserve ancient items.

Investment and Economic Plans

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

"I want us to have a major economic impact on local residents around here," he told the press, adding that he wanted to make the city "an arts hub."

Mowaa, a not-for-profit local organization, sees itself creating more than 30,000 employment opportunities and providing over $80m annually to the area arts sector through collaborations and events.

Investment and Administrative Problems

It has required $25m to get here – funds gathered from various supporters, such as the French and German governments, the British Museum and the local administration.

But now the local government has withdrawn support from beneath it – revoking the use of the land on which the museum was built.

An Edo state spokesperson explained this was because in the original paperwork it had identified as EMOWAA – and it had later eliminated "Edo" from its name.

Protests and Political Intervention

This announcement followed rallies on Sunday, when protesters invaded the complex demanding it be named the Benin Royal Museum.

A rowdy group confronted foreign guests at the museum ahead of the inauguration – forcing them to be quickly removed under security protection.

President Bola Tinubu has also stepped in to attempt to settle the dispute, creating a high-level committee to address the controversy.

Political Complexities

But in what way has this evolved into so controversial – and such a PR disaster?

Much of it stems from local power struggles at a regional government level, as it was Edo's previous governor Godwin Obaseki – whose administration ended recently – who was a major backer of the initiative.

And it seems the government of the recently elected official, a strong supporter of the regional monarch, called the traditional leader, may desire increased control in the initiative. The activists on Sunday, for case, were insisting that the facility be put under the control of Oba Ewuare II.

The Benin Bronzes Controversy

This emphasizes the disputed topic of the historical artworks, one of the continent's most celebrated cultural treasures.

Because though the facility does finally begin operations, these objects will be conspicuously absent.

They are metal, elephant tusk and wooden sculptures that once decorated the monarch's home of the historical empire before colonial troops looted them in the colonial era during a colonial invasion.

Today, many continue to be spread across institutions in Europe and North America -- such as the British Museum, Berlin's Humboldt Forum and the New York institution.

Return Initiatives

Their homecoming has become one of the most contested discussions in the international art community. Approximately 150 have currently been returned – and further are expected to return.

When proposals for the museum in Benin City were first announced in recent years, the movers and shakers on the national arts community hoped it would become their natural home – a advanced facility to exhibit them to the international community.

But the situation became complicated some time back after the federal government 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 desires of the ex-leader.

Political Navigation

This left Mowaa in a delicate position: asserting a definite position on return while staying tactful on guardianship – and highlighting its larger purpose, which led to|c