Nigeria's stunning new Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) has found itself in the crosshairs of local power politics on the week it was supposed to - but failed - to open its doors to the public for the first time.
The six-hectare (15-acre) campus sits in the heart of Benin City, capital of the southern state of Edo - and includes an archaeological dig and buildings designed by high-profile British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, best known for the National Museum of African American History and Culture that opened in Washington in 2016.
It has been five years in the making - and is envisioned to celebrate both the past and the present of creativity in the region famous for the Benin Bronzes, artworks looted from the city's royal palace by British soldiers in the 19th Century.
The project has been the brainchild of businessman Phillip Ihenacho - now Mowaa's executive director, who expresses hopes that the museum will significantly impact the local economy by providing jobs and elevating cultural tourism.
However, tensions rose when the local government revoked the land use permit over a naming dispute, calling for the museum to retain reference to 'Edo' in its title. This decision followed protest activities where demonstrators demanded the museum be formally recognized as the Benin Royal Museum.
President Bola Tinubu's involvement reflects the national stake in resolving community unrest related to the museum, which has become a focal point for debates over cultural heritage and leadership in the state of Edo.
The underlying issue remains the contentious ownership of the Benin Bronzes—historically looted items that symbolize a complicated legacy. Many continue to advocate for their repatriation amidst local calls for a restoration narrative led by traditional rulers.
Amid these challenges, the museum intends to showcase contemporary African creativity and forge connections between the past and present. Despite political obstacles, the aspiration remains to create a vital cultural institution that supports the arts and local community.
