Reps raise alarm, demand investigation over foreign influence, funding opacity at MOWAA

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the establishment, funding, and governance structure of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, following concerns that the cultural institution may be operating under a framework that gives undue control to foreign and private interests.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Esosa Iyawe and co-sponsored by six Edo lawmakers—Julius Ihonvbere, Peter Akpatason, Billy Osawaru, Omosede Igbinedion, Marcus Onobun, and Okojie Odianosen.
Leading debate on the motion, Rep. Iyawe said MOWAA, originally conceived as a flagship West African cultural heritage complex, must not become an avenue for foreign institutions to reassert control over Nigeria’s repatriated artefacts.
He warned that “credible reports suggest that the ownership and governance framework of MOWAA may have created an arrangement that places excessive influence in the hands of private or foreign interests. This would be contrary to Nigeria’s sovereignty over her cultural patrimony.”
Iyawe emphasized that the Museum was expected to serve as a trusted public institution to house long-looted artefacts being returned to the country.
“The international community agreed to repatriate Benin bronzes to Nigeria with the understanding that these priceless items would be held in a public trust under Nigerian control. Anything short of that raises serious red flags,” he said.
Lawmakers also expressed worry over what they described as inadequate clarity on the Museum’s legal status and donor agreements. Co-sponsor Rep. Julius Ihonvbere said the House must ensure that the nation’s heritage is not compromised.
“We cannot allow any ambiguity around ownership, land allocation, tax waivers, or foreign partnerships. Nigeria’s cultural assets cannot be traded off under the guise of development support,” Ihonvbere said.
Rep. Omosede Igbinedion added that traditional stakeholders, including the Oba of Benin and local communities, were not fully carried along.
“The custodians of the Benin heritage deserve full transparency and involvement. Their exclusion raises legitimate concerns,” she stated.
Lawmakers further warned that the opacity surrounding the project could open avenues for impropriety.
“When funding sources and governance structures are not clear, it creates room for conflict of interest and potential exploitation of our heritage,” Rep. Marcus Onobun added.
Adopting the motion, the House resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to probe the Museum’s establishment, funding sources, donor involvement, and governance architecture.
The committee is expected to determine the level of government oversight, the nature and extent of donor influence, the legal and financial implications of all agreements, and the safeguards protecting Nigeria’s ownership of its cultural assets.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided, said the House would protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage at all costs.
“Our heritage is non-negotiable. This investigation is necessary to ensure transparency and national interest,” he said.