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Inside Edo
Okpebholo revokes MOWAA's certificate of occupancy
Written By: Editor
11 Nov 2025 05:47 AM
Benin, Edo – The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), signaling a significant shift in the institution’s ownership and governance structure.
The decision, announced on Monday, aims to return the 6.210-hectare property to Central Hospital, a heritage institution over a century old.
The revocation letter, sighted by DAILY SOUTH NIGERIA and dated October 21, 2025, was personally signed by the governor.
It cites Section 28 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978, invoking "overriding public interest" as the basis for the action.
The property, identified as Plot No. 61977 in Ogboka, Benin City, was originally granted to MOWAA on November 28, 2022, and registered under EDOGIS Lands Registry.
The move follows recent protests and disputes over the museum’s operations, including its exclusion of the traditional Oba from governance and its rebranding from the initially proposed Benin Royal Museum.
MOWAA, designed by British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye at an estimated $25 million, was set to open this week but has canceled all preview events amid the controversy.
Governor Okpebholo’s action underscores a commitment to preserving state heritage, though it raises questions about the future of the state-of-the-art facility intended to showcase West African art.
The decision, announced on Monday, aims to return the 6.210-hectare property to Central Hospital, a heritage institution over a century old.
The revocation letter, sighted by DAILY SOUTH NIGERIA and dated October 21, 2025, was personally signed by the governor.
It cites Section 28 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978, invoking "overriding public interest" as the basis for the action.
The property, identified as Plot No. 61977 in Ogboka, Benin City, was originally granted to MOWAA on November 28, 2022, and registered under EDOGIS Lands Registry.
The move follows recent protests and disputes over the museum’s operations, including its exclusion of the traditional Oba from governance and its rebranding from the initially proposed Benin Royal Museum.
MOWAA, designed by British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye at an estimated $25 million, was set to open this week but has canceled all preview events amid the controversy.
Governor Okpebholo’s action underscores a commitment to preserving state heritage, though it raises questions about the future of the state-of-the-art facility intended to showcase West African art.
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