Museum Opening in Nigeria Delayed After Protest Disruption

The official opening of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria has been postponed indefinitely after protesters disrupted a private pre-opening event.

The museum, founded by Nigerian businessman Phillip Ihenacho, was scheduled to open to the public on Tuesday. However, about 20 men reportedly entered the museum courtyard during a donor and industry gathering on Sunday. Some carried wooden bats and damaged parts of the reception area, forcing guests to take shelter inside the building.

After roughly two hours, visitors were escorted away by bus to a nearby hotel. The exact demands of the protesters remain unclear.

The project has been caught in political tensions between Edo State’s current leadership and its former governor, as well as discussions involving the city’s traditional ruler, Oba Ewuare II, who believes the royal institution should play a central role in overseeing the museum.

The museum was created to promote and preserve West African art, offering exhibition spaces, archives, and artist residency programs for creatives across the region.

The incident also comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigeria to recover cultural treasures taken during colonial times, especially the famous Benin Bronzes that were looted by British troops more than a century ago and later distributed to museums in Europe and the United States.

Nigeria’s culture minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, condemned the disruption, warning that such actions threaten an important cultural institution and the peaceful environment needed to preserve the region’s artistic heritage.

Authorities say they are working with the Edo State government and security agencies to investigate the incident and determine the next steps for the museum’s opening.

Source: Newstimehub