“I Know Nothing About MOWAA’s Agreement, Financing.”- Okpebholo Tells Foreign Diplomats as Project Runs into A Hitch

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Some foreign diplomats caught in the web of controversies over the legal status and operations of the Museum for West African Art, (MOWAA) one of the legacies of the immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, were on Monday told by Governor Monday Okpebholo that he did not inherit any document from his predecessor concerning the museum.

The state government claimed the past administration invested N3 billion of the state’s funds in the museum, while it also ceded the Central Hospital land on Sapele Road to the project after it demolished it yet has no stake in it.

Speaking when he hosted the Ambassadors of the European Union and Germany to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and Dr. Annett Günther respectively, and other officials at the Government House, Benin City, Governor Okpebholo expressed shock over the visit to the state by the diplomats in respect of the botched event at MOWAA), stating that the government was not informed.

Condemning an alleged “gross lack of transparency” in the handling of the museum, Okpebholo explained that “The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government. It is curious how the project evolved from the Benin Royal Museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), and now to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), without clarity or consultation with our revered traditional institution.”

The governor noted that the state government was never briefed on the project’s financing, ownership structure, or operational details, stressing that even the Oba of Benin had personally expressed concern over its handling.

He said, “The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project. I know nothing about its transactions or agreements”.

Stating unequivocally that transparency and respect for the Benin Kingdom were non-negotiable, Okpebholo declared that “We welcome foreign collaborations, but everything must be transparent and must honour our traditions”.

Bewildered that the historic Central Hospital in Benin City was demolished to make way for MOWAA, the governor wondered “Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a museum?”, adding, “We are proud of our heritage, but development must be responsible, and people centred.”

While assuring that his administration remained committed to accountability and due process in all dealings, Governor Okpebholo said “Edo people are peace-loving and welcoming, but we will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture and institutions”.

Later leading the delegation to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare I1, where the issue of EMOWAA also featured prominently, Governor Okpebholo described the development as another example of the lack of transparency that had surrounded it since its inception.

He said, “We are here with the European and German Ambassadors, and their colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium, to see His Royal Majesty”.

“They have spoken about areas of collaboration and also about what happened yesterday. Honestly, I wasn’t aware that such a gathering was going to take place; that’s the truth. However, we have spoken with the Oba and gotten his side of the story.”

Governor Okpebholo disclosed that his administration had already constituted a committee to thoroughly investigate the MOWAA project and make recommendations on the way forward.

 “The committee will look into the matter comprehensively and make appropriate recommendations,” he stated.

In his comments during the visit, Oba Ewuare II condemned the way the project was executed, accusing Obaseki of attempting to “mortgage” the rights of the Benin people over their ancestral artefacts.

The royal father said: “It is like history wanting to repeat itself. My forefathers suffered during the British invasion of 1897, and it is not fair that this is happening again. The documents they brought for me to sign would have taken away our rights to these artefacts, and I refused.”

Governor Okpebholo assured that his government would act with fairness and transparency in addressing the controversy. “Edo belongs to us all; its culture, history, and heritage must be protected, not politicised,” he said. “We are open to genuine collaboration, but it must be done in the light of transparency and respect for our traditional institutions,” he concluded.

Speaking to journalists after emerging from the Oba’s Palace, EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot said the mission of the delegation was to pay homage to the monarch and strengthen cooperation with Edo State.  

According to Mignot, “We have just paid a courtesy call to His Royal Majesty to present our greetings and explain the reason for our visit, which is to deepen our partnership with Edo State.

“We also discussed the MOWAA project and the unfortunate incidents that occurred. We exchanged views in a spirit of dialogue and partnership, which is how we intend to move forward,” he said.

 The ambassador clarified that while the European Union as an institution had no direct investment in MOWAA, some EU member states, including Germany, are partners in the initiative.

His German counterpart, Günther, commended Governor Okpebholo and the Oba of Benin for their hospitality, reaffirming Germany’s longstanding partnership with Edo State in migration management, youth empowerment, and cultural preservation.

Günther said, “I am honoured to have paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, and His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State.

“During my visit, I will attend the graduation of 450 youths from IT training programmes and visit several project sites. Our cooperation extends beyond development; it includes support for cultural heritage, including the return of over 1,200 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.”

She agreed with Governo Okpebholo on the need for transparency, stating that the preservation of peace and transparency was critical to sustaining MOWAA’s cultural and educational mission.

Dr. Günther said, “This wonderful place for celebrating heritage can only flourish in a peaceful and transparent environment. We regret the recent incidents but look forward to a stable future for MOWAA.”