Following rising concerns that the funding and governance structures of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), the House of Representatives has opened an investigation may give undue control to foreign and private interests.
The motion, sponsored by Esosa Iyawe and co-sponsored by six Edo lawmakers stemmed from reports suggesting that the museum’s ownership framework could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty over its cultural heritage. This follows a chaotic exhibition at MOWAA, where protesters disrupted the event and police escorted foreign envoys to safety.
Iyawe argued that a museum envisioned as a premier cultural institution for West Africa must not become a channel for foreign influence, especially at a time when historic Benin Bronzes are being repatriated with the understanding that they will remain under Nigerian control. Lawmakers raised further concerns about the museum’s legal status, tax waivers, donor agreements, and land allocations.
Hon. Julius Ihonvbere stressed the need for full transparency to prevent cultural assets from being compromised under the guise of development partnerships.
Other lawmakers echoed these concerns. Omosede Igbinedion criticized the exclusion of traditional institutions, particularly the Palace of the Oba of Benin, from key decisions about the museum, while Marcus Onobun warned that vague funding sources and governance structures could lead to conflicts of interest. The House resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to thoroughly investigate MOWAA’s establishment, donor influence, funding model, and overall governance. The committee is expected to report its findings within four weeks.
The probe comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to reclaim looted cultural artifacts. Just a day before the House resolution, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy received two repatriated Benin Bronzes from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—part of a broader restitution wave that has returned at least 285 bronzes in the last eight years. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen reaffirmed the House’s commitment to protecting national heritage, declaring that Nigeria’s cultural identity is “non-negotiable.”
