BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Fresh controversy has erupted over the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project in Benin City as Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo declared that he was not informed of a visit by European envoys connected to the museum’s activities.
Okpebholo made the disclosure on Monday, November 10, 2025, while hosting the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, and the German Ambassador, Dr. Annett Günther, at the Government House in Benin.
The governor, appearing visibly surprised, later led the diplomats on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, and other senior officials.
Speaking at the Benin palace, Okpebholo criticised the lack of communication surrounding the visit and accused the immediate past administration of running the MOWAA project “without transparency.”
“Honestly, I was not aware that such a gathering was going to take place. However, we have spoken with His Majesty and gotten his side of the story,” he said.
He added that his administration had set up a committee to investigate the museum’s operations, saying the project had been “shrouded in secrecy” since its inception.
“It is strange how the project changed from the Benin Royal Museum to EMOWAA and then MOWAA, without consultation or approval from the Benin Palace,” Okpebholo said.
“The former government never briefed me nor handed over any documentation. I know nothing about its transactions.”
The governor also faulted the demolition of the historic Central Hospital to make way for the museum, calling it “a misplaced priority that never put the people first.”
While reaffirming Edo’s openness to international collaboration, Okpebholo stressed that all foreign partnerships must respect local traditions and the authority of the Benin Palace.
“We are open to collaboration, but it must be transparent and honour our culture,” he said.
“Edo belongs to us all. Our heritage is sacred, and we will protect it, not politicise it.”
Speaking with journalists after the palace visit, EU Ambassador Mignot said the envoys’ mission was to pay homage to the Benin throne and strengthen ties with the state.
“We discussed the MOWAA project and the recent misunderstandings. We shared views in a spirit of dialogue and partnership,” Mignot said, adding that the EU itself had no direct financial stake in MOWAA, though some member states, including Germany, are involved.
German Ambassador Günther praised both the governor and the Oba for their hospitality, reaffirming Berlin’s ongoing cooperation with Edo State in migration management, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation.
“Our cooperation extends to the return of over 1,200 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria,” she said.
“But MOWAA can only thrive in a peaceful and transparent environment.”
Earlier, Oba Ewuare II sharply criticised the previous Edo administration, accusing it of attempting to “mortgage the cultural rights of the Benin people.”
“The documents they brought for me to sign would have taken away our rights to our ancestral artefacts, and I refused,” the monarch declared.
The MOWAA project — originally conceived to house and exhibit returned Benin Bronzes — has been mired in disputes over ownership, transparency, and representation, deepening tensions between the state government, the Benin Palace, and foreign cultural partners.
