A group on the platform of Aiguobasinmwin Movement World-wide has allegedly disrupted an official launch of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City.
The group, who stormed the venue of the event, alleged that the museum was supposed to be the Oba of Benin’s property, being the custodian of the Benin culture.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Culture Iyamu said the campaign for the return of the stolen artefacts was the struggle of successive Oba(s) Akenzua ll, Erediauwa and now Oba Ewuare ll.
He said the Oba Ewuare used his position to fight for the repatriation of the artefacts and where they would be kept, which would be known as ‘Benin Royal Museum.
Iyamu said the Benin Royal Museum is never a government or individual project but an initiative of Benin Royal Palace and the Benin Traditional Council targeted at linking the Benin bronze story to its heritage.
Recall that days before the disruption of the event, Oba Ewuare II had earlier clarified that MOWAA was originally conceived as the Benin Royal Museum — supported by international donors and intended to house repatriated artifacts looted during the 1897 British invasion of Benin.
“The project was meant to be the Benin Royal Museum.
“I fully support my people who protested against the attempted opening of MOWAA.
“The House of Assembly should continue its investigation into its funding and ownership. The world recognises it as the Benin Royal Museum, and it must remain so,” the Oba said.
BusinessDay also gathered that the people were emboldened following the promise of the present administration to give MOWAA back to the monarch.
“The issue of the Museum of West African Art is over. It was a birthday gift to Your Majesty, and it will be restored ate such,” said Monday Okpebholo, governor, Edo State.
Okpebholo said he would present the video evidence to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the president, who is a personal friend of the Benin Palace, would not support any act that undermines the dignity of the Benin Kingdom.
He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Benin Palace, the federal government and international partners to ensure the return of looted Benin artifacts and to establish the Benin Royal Museum as a global centre for cultural preservation and education.
“As we approach our first anniversary in office on November 12,” the governor added, “we do so with gratitude for Your Majesty’s guidance and blessings.
“This administration remains devoted to securing our communities, empowering our youth, and preserving our cultural heritage. Edo’s strength lies in her traditions, and we will uphold them.”
Following all these, the Aiguobasinmwin Movement World-wide stormed the venue to disrupt the process but normalcy was quickly restored by the Edo State Police Command.
The command denied the forceful eviction of guests at MOWAA in Benin City. The command debunked the allegation in a statement made available to journalists in Benin through ASP Eno Ikoedem, its Edo deputy police public relations officer.
ASP Ikoedem said that what the police did was to carefully and successfully evacuate the guests to their safe abode and restore normalcy to the area.
“Intelligence was received regarding a planned protest aimed at disrupting the official launch of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City. In response, the Command made adequate security deployment to the venue to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“The protesters were addressed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika before de-escalating the tension.
“Normalcy was immediately restored, while expatriates and other guests at the venue were safely evacuated to their respective hotels without any hitch,” she said
However, several videos making the rounds showed were guests were asked to leave on Sunday. The event, said to be an exclusive preview for select investors, artists, and international dignitaries to see what the Museum has done so far, was violently disrupted when the thugs forcefully stormed the premises, saying “say no to MOWAA.”
According to our sources, the exhibition was organised ahead of the scheduled commissioning of the museum on November 11, 2025.
In some ome of the videos that went viral on Sunday, one of the APC youth leaders in the state was seen alongside others saying, “We are illustrious sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom, standing right here to say no to MOWAA.”
He said politicians cannot stand against the Kingdom of Benin. “We are joining all the socio-cultural groups to ensure MOWAA does not stand in the Benin Kingdom.
“We come in peace, harmless. We are standing for justice to stop MOWAA.”
The thugs in the video are heard chanting songs in their local language in the form of solidarity songs. Also, in another video that surfaced online on Sunday, policemen were seen asking expatriates out of the MOWAA building.
Following the disruption of activities at MOWAA, the management has since issued a statement apologising to guests just it promised them of a possible resolution.
According to the statement, “A protest took place on the MOWAA campus in Benin City. The demonstration appeared to stern from disputes between the previous and current state administrations.
“While MOWAA was mentioned in the wider context of these grievances, alongside other development projects, we wish to emphasize that MOWAA is an independent , non-profit institution of which the former governor has no interest financially or otherwise.
“Or those currently in Benin City, we advise against visiting MOWAA campus untill the situation is resolved. There will be no preview events on Sunday November 9, Monday, November 10 and Tuesday, November 11. We are deeply grateful to all our guests, many of whom traveled long distances to be here for their understanding, patience and resilience.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this situation may have caused, including interruptions to travel plans or scheduled visits.”
“Your commitment to being with us means a great deal, and we regrets that your experience today was disrupted.
“If you were planning to travel to Benin for the MOWAA preview week, please suspend your travel plans unless you have other essential reasons to be in the City.
“As a precaution, all guests were safely escorted to secure locations and supported in continuing their travels to hotels, airports or other destinations in the city.
“The safety and well-being of our staff, visitors and partners remains our highest priority. We are working closely with local authorities to address the situation.”
BusinessDay reports that the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) was established by a coalition of partners, including the Edo State government, the German Foreign Office, the Mellon Foundation, the A.G. Leventis Foundation, and the British Museum.
It was formed in 2020 as an independent, non-profit organisation. The project was a key initiative championed by the former Godwin Obaseki, former governor of Edo State, who worked with private partners to bring the vision to reality.
Phillip Ihenacho serves as the director of MOWAA. The museum is designed by David Adjaye, a British-Ghanaian architect, and aims to be a hub for research, education, and the celebration of West African arts and culture.
