Oshiomhole Panel Unearths N3.8bn MOWAA Investment by Obaseki Government

A Special Committee tasked with probing the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) delivered its findings to the Edo State Government on Thursday, disclosing that the state had channeled N3.8 billion into the initiative. Chaired by former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, the committee's core responsibility was to ascertain MOWAA's true ownership.

Senator Oshiomhole's report highlighted that the Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State expended a total of N3.8 billion in public funds on the MOWAA undertaking. The committee further alleged that the museum's name underwent multiple changes, purportedly for personal motives.

According to a Friday statement issued by Patrick Ebojele, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the committee chairman explained that the persistent advocacy by the Oba of Benin for the repatriation of looted Benin artefacts culminated in an accord for their return. This development, he stated, initiated conversations about establishing a Royal Museum to serve as their repository.

He quoted Oshiomhole as saying, “The Edo State Government under Obaseki agreed to provide the funding to build the Benin Royal Museum at the space provided by the Oba of Benin. It was well announced to the delight of all Edo people.” Oshiomhole further stated that “The Obaseki administration took different steps, demolished Central Hospital and decided to change the original name of the museum to Edo Museum of West Africa Art (EMOWA) and later to the Museum for West Africa Art (MOWAA).”

The Senator also pointed out that the Edo State Government initially raised N800 million as seed funding, with further contributions subsequently arriving. He specifically mentioned, “The German government donated four million euros, Leventis $1.5m and more.” Oshiomhole revealed that “Five days before the expiration of the Obaseki-led administration, the governor approved and released N1bn. This brought the payment of the Edo State Government to N3.8bn.”

Oshiomhole asserted that these multiple name alterations effectively transformed the project into an entirely private venture. He noted that MOWAA management admitted receiving over $18 million, which they asserted was spent on land acquisition and archaeological digs. However, the committee's inquiry, according to Oshiomhole, uncovered these claims to be untrue. He then presented several recommendations aimed at making the facility operational.

His recommendations included: “The facility should not be demolished because it can’t be remodelled, the museum is allowed to stay and the facility given a proper name that will reflect its true ownership.” He further proposed, “The name be changed to Benin Royal Museum of Africa Art. The governor can use the same instrument of government to revert the name. This will attract artefacts from across the globe.” Oshiomhole stressed that “The museum should be returned to the Oba of Benin to manage it henceforth, as the government comes and goes but the Benin Monarch remains and the artefacts can be protected better by the institutions that own it.”

Upon receiving the committee's report, Governor Monday Okpebholo lauded their efforts and committed to acting on their suggestions. He stated, “I thank the committee for an excellent job and a comprehensive report submitted today. The quality of the job shows the fairness and seriousness of the job.” Governor Okpebholo added, “At this point I will set up another committee to enable us to have a white paper on the issue and the committee will liaise with the Ministry of Justice so that the recommendation will be turned into a white paper.” He also referenced, “I watched in a video clip where Obaseki promised to build a Royal Museum to celebrate our Royal father but dramatically changed to MOWAA. You have done a great job and our ancestors will bless you all.”

Among those present during the report submission were Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, Attorney General Prof. Roland Otaru, and other high-ranking government functionaries.

The ownership status of MOWAA has been a contentious issue since Governor Okpebholo assumed office. The current administration maintains that state government funds were utilized for the museum's construction and land acquisition, asserting that it should rightfully be a state asset managed by the Oba of Benin. Conversely, the preceding administration has consistently argued that MOWAA is an entirely private entity.

In November 2025, Benin City witnessed protests by residents and various socio-cultural organizations, which led to the disruption of MOWAA's preview opening and its subsequent indefinite postponement. The protesters contended that the private nature of the institution challenged the authority of the Benin Royal Palace, aiming to appropriate control over repatriated artefacts and Benin Bronzes rather than acknowledging the Oba of Benin's rightful custodianship.