Oshiomhole Panel Uncovers ₦3.8bn Government Spending on MOWAA, Recommends Return to Benin Royal Museum

Oshiomhole Panel Uncovers ₦3.8bn Government Spending on MOWAA, Recommends Return to Benin Royal Museum

A Special Committee on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), chaired by former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has submitted its report on the ownership, funding and status of the controversial museum project, Chris Osa Media reports.

The committee, constituted to establish the true ownership status of the facility, submitted its report to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday.

Presenting the report, Oshiomhole said the committee found that the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki committed a total of ₦3.8 billion in Edo taxpayers’ funds to the project.

He explained that the project was originally conceived as the Benin Royal Museum, following sustained efforts by the Oba of Benin to secure the return of artefacts looted from the ancient Benin Kingdom.

According to Oshiomhole, the Obaseki administration initially agreed to fund the construction of the Royal Museum on land provided by the Oba of Benin. However, the project subsequently underwent several name changes, first becoming the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWA) and later the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

The committee chairman disclosed that the Edo State Government initially provided ₦800 million in seed funding, while additional funds were received from donors, including the German Government, which donated €4 million, and the Leventis Foundation, which contributed $1.5 million.

He further stated that ₦1 billion was approved and released by the Obaseki administration five days before the expiration of its tenure, bringing the total amount paid by the state government to ₦3.8 billion.

Oshiomhole also questioned claims by MOWAA management that it had received more than $18 million in funding, reportedly used for land acquisition and archaeological excavation, saying the committee’s investigation found that the claims were not supported by its findings.

Committee Recommends Benin Royal Museum

The committee recommended that the existing facility should not be demolished, but should instead be retained and given a name that reflects its ownership and original purpose.

It recommended that the facility be renamed the Benin Royal Museum of African Art and that the government take steps to formally revert the name.

The committee further recommended that the museum be returned to the Oba of Benin for management, arguing that the traditional institution would provide continuity and better protection for the returned Benin artefacts.

Receiving the report, Governor Okpebholo commended the committee for what he described as an excellent and comprehensive job.

The governor said the quality of the report demonstrated the committee’s fairness and seriousness, adding that his administration would constitute another committee to prepare a White Paper on the recommendations in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice.

Okpebholo recalled that the previous administration had initially promised to build a Royal Museum in honour of the Oba of Benin before the project was subsequently changed to MOWAA.

The governor said the committee had done a great job and expressed hope that its efforts would ultimately serve the interests of Edo State and preserve the legacy of the Benin Kingdom.

Among dignitaries present at the presentation were Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Roland Otaru, and other senior government officials.