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The nation's remarkable new West African Art Museum (Mowaa) has ended up in the center of local power politics during the period it was supposed to – but did not manage – to begin operations to the public for the first time.

The Ambitious Project

The large-scale facility stands in the heart of Benin City, administrative center of the southern state of Edo – and features an excavation site and buildings designed by celebrated dual heritage architect Sir David Adjaye, particularly noted for the Washington African American Museum that began operations in Washington in 2016.

It has been half a decade in the creation – and is planned to honor both the past and the current era of creativity in the locale famous for the cultural artifacts, artworks taken from the city's royal palace by UK forces in the 1800s.

Preparation and Promise

It is remarkable – and before the scheduled opening, Mowaa was active with employees determined to demonstrate it is a venue that can compete with established cultural centers in the West.

Internally preservation experts precisely opened art pieces from safety materials, inspecting each piece and taking thorough records before positioning them on display surfaces and stands.

Technicians calibrated climate control systems. In the materials science laboratory, staff members adjusted instruments designed to conserve historical artefacts.

Investment and Economic Plans

The venture has been the brainchild of investor Phillip Ihenacho – currently Mowaa's managing director.

"I aim us to have a major economic impact on local residents in the vicinity," he told journalists, mentioning that he aspired to make the city "a tourism center."

Mowaa, a not-for-profit national foundation, aims at creating over 30,000 work positions and adding above $80m annually to the regional creative economy through collaborations and events.

Funding Sources and Political Challenges

It has taken $25m to get here – capital collected from different donors, such as the European governments, the UK museum and the Edo state government.

But at present the local government has pulled the rug from beneath it – revoking the occupancy of the property on which the museum was built.

An official representative explained this was because in the initial documents it had referred to itself as EMOWAA – and it had since dropped "Edo" from its title.

Protests and Political Intervention

This announcement was preceded by rallies on recently, when people invaded the facility calling for it be called the Museum of the Benin Kingdom.

A rowdy assembly confronted overseas dignitaries at the facility prior to the inauguration – forcing them to be escorted out under security protection.

President Bola Tinubu has also intervened to attempt to settle the tensions, establishing a high-level committee to address the controversy.

Administrative Challenges

But in what way has this evolved into so divisive – and such a PR disaster?

The majority of it comes down to internal conflicts at a regional government level, as it was the former state leader Godwin Obaseki – whose administration ended recently – who was a primary advocate of the initiative.

And it looks like the leadership of the new governor, a key associate of the regional monarch, referred to as the traditional leader, may seek more of a stake in the venture. The protesters on Sunday, for example, were demanding that the institution be placed under the control of Oba Ewuare II.

The Benin Bronzes Controversy

This highlights the contentious issue of the Benin Bronzes, one of the continent's most celebrated artistic heritage.

Because although the institution does finally begin operations, these objects will be clearly not present.

They are metal, ivory and wooden sculptures that once decorated the royal palace of the Benin Kingdom before UK forces looted them in 1897 during a punitive expedition.

Nowadays, many continue to be scattered across institutions in Europe and North America -- including the British Museum, Berlin's Humboldt Forum and the New York institution.

Repatriation Campaigns

Their homecoming has become one of the most contested debates in the worldwide cultural sector. Approximately 150 have currently made their way home – and more are scheduled to be repatriated.

When ideas for the museum in the city were initially revealed in 2019, the key players on the national arts community hoped it would become their perfect venue – a modern facility to show them off to the global audience.

But the situation became complicated some time back after the federal government stated that the traditional ruler would be the proper guardian of any returned bronzes – and the palace advocated for a institution under the king's authority, against the preferences of the ex-leader.

Political Navigation

This left Mowaa in a delicate position: asserting a clear stance on restitution while remaining diplomatic on guardianship – and highlighting its wider mission, which led to|c