The Edo State Government has said the European Union did not invest directly in the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), but provided a grant in support of the project.
Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben, made the clarification on Wednesday during the bi-monthly press briefing of the state Ministry of Information and Strategy in Benin City.
Okaeben said the state government provided the land and invested N3.8 billion in the museum project, which will now revert to its former name, Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWA).
He also said the return of EMOWA and the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre to the Oba of Benin were among the major policy decisions taken by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
“The claims that the European Union invested in the Museum of West African Art is wrong. What was established is that the Union gave a grant in support of the project,” Okaeben said.
The commissioner said the state was also working with investors on heritage sites, identifying the Benin Moat as one of the state’s major attractions.
He announced that the Edo Carnival would hold in December as part of efforts to promote unity among Edo people. He added that the ministry was grading hotels in the state as part of measures to improve tourism.
The development comes after the planned opening of MOWAA was indefinitely postponed following a November 9, 2025 incident in which protesters and armed individuals reportedly stormed a preview event, prompting the evacuation of international guests and diplomats.
The protesters demanded that the institution be renamed the “Benin Royal Museum”, arguing that cultural heritage matters in the kingdom fall under the authority of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
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