A major cultural event in Nigeria was thrown into chaos after protesters stormed the new Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday. The group forced organizers to halt a preview event ahead of the museum’s official grand opening scheduled for Tuesday.
Videos circulating online show the protesters confronting and insulting foreign guests, demanding that they leave the museum premises. The disturbance led to the evacuation of all visitors to safe locations, according to an official statement released by Mowaa.
The museum, a multi-million dollar project, was partly conceived to house the Benin Bronzes a collection of priceless artefacts looted by British troops from the Benin Kingdom in the 19th century. The state-of-the-art facility includes preservation and restoration units intended to protect and showcase West Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
However, a long-standing dispute over ownership and control of the artefacts has prevented the Bronzes from being displayed at the museum. Local residents told the BBC that many in Edo State, including traditional rulers and the Benin monarch, believe the project has been “hijacked” and diverted from its original purpose.
“The Benin Oba, traditional rulers, and the Edo government are not happy about it,” one resident said, noting that “Edo” was initially part of the museum’s name before it was removed to make the institution appear more international.
Mowaa’s Executive Director, Phillip Ihenacho, explained that the name change was meant to reflect the museum’s broader West African mission. The museum also clarified that it operates independently as a non-profit entity and that former state officials involved in its founding have no ongoing financial ties to it.
In light of the unrest, Mowaa has cancelled all preview events and urged visitors to avoid the site until the matter is resolved. The museum apologized to guests for the disruption, thanking them for their patience and understanding.
