Edo spent N3.8bn on MOWAA under Obaseki, Oshiomhole-led panel reveals

A special committee in Nigeria's Edo State has reported that N3.8 billion in taxpayer money was invested in the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project during the previous administration. The committee, chaired by former governor Adams Oshiomhole, presented its findings to the current state government, raising questions about the project's financial management and repeated name changes.

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The Edo State Government under Obaseki agreed to provide the funding to build the Benin Royal Museum at the space provided by the Oba of Benin. It was well announced to the delight of all Edo people.

Oshiomhole stated that the Edo State Government under ex-governor Godwin Obaseki spent the substantial sum on MOWAA, noting that the museum's name was altered multiple times. He also highlighted that the government agreed to fund the Benin Royal Museum, intended to house returned Benin artefacts, with the Oba of Benin providing the land. The Obaseki administration reportedly demolished the Central Hospital to make way for the museum, initially named EMOWA, then EMOWAA, and finally MOWAA.

The committee's report indicates that while N800 million in seed money was raised and donations were received, including from the German government and Leventis, the Obaseki administration approved and released N1 billion just five days before its term ended, bringing the total state government payment to N3.8 billion. The report also noted that MOWAA management claimed to have received over $18 million for land acquisition and excavation, but the committee found these claims to be false.

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The Obaseki administration took different steps, demolished Central Hospital and decided to change the original name of the museum to Edo Museum of West Africa Art (EMOWA) and later to the Museum for West Africa Art (MOWAA).

To ensure the facility's operationalization, the committee recommended that the museum not be demolished but allowed to stay with a name reflecting its true ownership. They proposed renaming it the Benin Royal Museum of African Art and returning its management to the Oba of Benin, arguing that the monarch's institution offers better protection for the artefacts than a government that changes with administrations.

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The facility should not be demolished because it can’t be remodelled, the museum is allowed to stay and the facility given a proper name that will reflect its true ownership.

Upon receiving the report, the current governor commended the committee's work, signaling a potential shift in the museum's governance and purpose.

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The name be changed to Benin Royal Museum of Africa Art. The governor can use the same instrument of government to revert the name. This will attract artefacts from across the globe.