Protesters disrupted the soft launch of the Museum of West African Arts in Benin City, Nigeria, on Sunday, leading to uncertainty regarding its official opening scheduled for Tuesday. The demonstration erupted as local youth voiced their opposition to the museum’s establishment, asserting that it undermines the cultural heritage of Benin City, which is traditionally overseen by its ruler, the Oba of Benin.
Videos shared on social media depicted a group of more than a dozen individuals entering the museum grounds, chanting in support of the Oba. Guests, including international attendees, were quickly evacuated from the event. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The museum is intended to showcase some of the ancient Benin Bronzes—artifacts looted by British soldiers in the late 19th century and dispersed globally over the years.
As the museum prepares to officially open, the plans to display the returned bronzes have faced challenges due to disagreements with the Oba. Following the protest, the museum announced a suspension of all activities and urged potential visitors to postpone their plans until further notice. It remains unclear whether the scheduled opening will proceed as planned.
According to a statement from the museum, which is privately owned by the MOWAA trust, established in 2020, the previous state government had “no interest, financial or otherwise,” in the museum’s operations. The Nigerian federal government has expressed “deep concern” regarding the situation in Benin City, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation and local governance.
The Oba of Benin, currently Ewuare II, has been recognized as the custodian of the museum’s artifacts, according to a law signed in 2023 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. This legislation underscores the longstanding calls from both the Nigerian government and local activists for the return of looted cultural treasures.
The dialogue surrounding the return of the Benin Bronzes has gained momentum in recent years. In June 2023, the Netherlands returned 119 bronzes to Nigeria, marking the largest repatriation to date. As museums worldwide reevaluate ownership issues, the fate of these artifacts remains a critical topic of discussion.
As events unfold, the Museum of West African Arts is expected to issue further communications regarding its future operations and the status of the artifacts it aims to display. The local community’s response will likely influence the museum’s role in preserving and promoting Benin City’s rich cultural legacy.
