Tension flared in Benin City, Edo State, as protesters disrupted a preview event at the newly built Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) just days before its grand opening.
Videos circulating online showed angry demonstrators confronting foreign guests and demanding they leave the museum grounds. The protesters accused organisers of sidelining local stakeholders in what many view as a project meant to celebrate Edo heritage.
The multi-million-dollar MOWAA, envisioned as a world-class cultural hub, was designed to house and preserve the Benin Bronzes — priceless artefacts looted by British troops during the 19th century invasion of the Kingdom of Benin. The museum also features cutting-edge facilities for art preservation, education, and restoration.
However, an ongoing dispute over the ownership and control of the Benin Bronzes has left the artefacts absent from the museum, reportedly fuelling public outrage. Many locals and traditional authorities believe the project has strayed from its original purpose as a homecoming site for the historic treasures.
“All guests were safely escorted to secure locations,” MOWAA said in a statement, expressing regret for the disruption. “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused.”
A resident of Benin City told reporters that the Benin royal palace and Edo State government have voiced frustration over the project’s management. “The Benin Oba, traditional rulers, and the government are not happy about it,” the resident said.
The Benin Bronzes controversy has remained a sensitive topic across Nigeria, as debates continue over the rightful custodianship of the artefacts and the role of traditional institutions in their eventual return.
With the museum’s grand opening still scheduled for Tuesday, tensions remain high, as many await to see whether dialogue between the Edo State authorities, traditional rulers, and MOWAA can ease the growing discontent surrounding one of Nigeria’s most anticipated cultural landmarks.
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