Nigeria’s $25 million Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City has hit turbulence just as it was set to welcome visitors for the first time. The six-hectare cultural hub, located in Edo State’s capital, was designed by world-renowned British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, famous for Washington D.C.’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
MOWAA, five years in the making, celebrates both the rich heritage and vibrant contemporary culture of the region, particularly the famed Benin Bronzes—treasured artworks taken from the royal palace by British forces in the 19th century.
In the lead-up to the opening, the museum buzzed with activity: conservators unpacked and documented artworks, technicians perfected climate control systems, and laboratory staff calibrated equipment to safeguard ancient artifacts.
The brainchild of businessman Phillip Ihenacho, now the museum’s executive director, MOWAA aims to make Benin City a global cultural destination. Ihenacho envisions creating over 30,000 jobs and generating $80 million annually for the local creative economy through exhibitions, partnerships, and programming.
Despite its grand vision and international attention, the museum faced protests and political tensions, casting a shadow over its debut.
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