Benin City witnessed dramatic scenes as young protesters stormed the grounds of the newly built Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA), forcing the cancellation of its soft launch event just days before its scheduled official opening.
Heritage Clash Halts Museum Launch
On Sunday evening, more than a dozen demonstrators entered the multi-million dollar museum complex in Benin City, the historic seat of the pre-colonial Benin Empire. The protesters expressed strong opposition to what they termed as a violation of the city's cultural heritage, which they believe falls under the authority of their traditional ruler.
Viral videos captured the moment when young Nigerians marched through the museum grounds, chanting in support of the Oba of Benin. The situation escalated quickly, prompting organizers to evacuate guests including foreign visitors from the premises. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the commotion.
Controversy Over Benin Bronzes
The museum was designed to house the precious Benin Bronzes - ancient artifacts with deep cultural significance that were looted by British soldiers in the late 19th century. These valuable pieces have been scattered across global museums for decades, though recent years have seen increasing efforts toward repatriation.
According to sources, plans to display the returned bronzes at the new museum were shelved following disputes with the Oba of Benin. The current traditional ruler, Oba Ewuare II, who assumed the throne in 2016, is recognized by a 2023 law signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari as the legitimate custodian of all museum artifacts.
Immediate Consequences and Ongoing Tensions
In response to the protest, museum authorities suspended all further activities and advised potential visitors to postpone their plans until the situation becomes clearer. The scheduled official opening on Tuesday now hangs in balance, with no immediate confirmation about whether it will proceed as planned.
The museum management remained unavailable for comments when approached by The Associated Press. However, an official statement clarified that the former state government, under whose patronage the museum was established, maintains no financial or other interests in the institution.
The Museum of West African Arts is privately owned by the MOWAA trust, a non-profit organization established in 2020. The trust receives funding from multiple sources including the state government, British and German museums, along with various international grants.
Nigeria's federal government has expressed deep concern over the developments in Benin City and is closely monitoring the situation. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between modern cultural institutions and traditional authority structures in preserving Africa's rich heritage.
The protest occurs against the backdrop of successful repatriation efforts, including the recent return of 119 Benin Bronzes from the Netherlands in June - marking the largest such repatriation to date. Nigerian authorities and activists have campaigned for decades for the return of these looted artifacts, making the current dispute particularly significant for the nation's cultural landscape.
