The highly anticipated opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City has been thrown into chaos and subsequently cancelled following a violent invasion by suspected thugs. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, forced the management to cancel all preview events scheduled for Monday and the grand opening planned for Tuesday.
Protesters Disrupt Exclusive Preview Event
The disruption began on Sunday when a group of protesters, identifying themselves as Indigenous Benin Youths, stormed the museum's premises. The event was an exclusive preview for a select group of international dignitaries, investors, and artists. Despite a heavy security presence, the individuals gained access to the grounds.
Videos from the scene showed the group insulting foreign guests and ordering them to leave the property. The thugs chanted war songs and voiced their primary grievance: they believe the institution should have been named the Benin Royal Museum. Local vendors who were on-site to sell items like palm wine and artistic pottery were also chased away.
Diplomats Trapped, Property Vandalised
The invasion caused panic among the attendees, which included foreign journalists and high-ranking diplomats. Key figures such as the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, the German Ambassador, and the Danish Ambassador were initially trapped inside the museum. They were eventually evacuated under heavy security escort.
During the chaos, the protesters vandalised the museum's property. A spokesman for the group, Osaro Iyamu Culture, accused MOWAA of using clandestine means to open the museum to the public. The dispute appears to be deeply rooted in the control of the Benin Bronzes—priceless artefacts looted by British soldiers in the 19th Century. The new multi-million dollar museum was conceived partly as a home for these returned artworks, but a bitter dispute has kept them away from the facility, a point that seemed to have angered the protesters.
Official Cancellation and Travel Advisory
In response to the incident, the management of MOWAA took decisive action. In a statement released on its official X handle, the museum announced the cancellation of the preview week. MOWAA urgently advised those planning to travel to Benin City for the events to suspend their plans. It also recommended that individuals already in the city avoid visiting the MOWAA campus until the situation is fully resolved.
The museum, located in Edo state, boasts a campus with state-of-the-art preservation and restoration facilities, representing a significant cultural investment for the region. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding cultural heritage and ownership in Nigeria.
