MOWAA Debacle: Tinubu Appoints Senator Imasuen, EU Reps, Ambassadors, Others to ‘Safeguard Nat’l Cultural Heritage’
Foreign Ambassadors, other foreigners and the members of International Press in their hideout after tury were attacked by thugs in MOWAA
By Correspondent
The President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted a high powered committee on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) to determine issues surrounding the disagreements that has prevented the formal opening of the world class West Africa cultural heritage centre.
According to the press statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the President Tinubu’s action is premise on his determination to safeguard “National Cultural Heritage.’
The statement stressed that, Mr. President’s intervention underscores his administration’s commitment to “protecting Nigeria’s cultural patrimony while ensuring that all matters are addressed through dialogue, mutual respect, and strict adherence to constitutional provisions.”
To achieve this, Tinubu has appointed stakeholders from MOWAA’s host community, international donors and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to prevent further drift and probably save the musuem from demolition after the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) has been reportedly withdrawn by Edo State.
The committee, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative
Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, “brings together a distinguished assemblage of
stakeholders representing critical national and international interests. Its composition
reflects the President’s recognition of the complex historical, cultural, and diplomatic
dimensions of this matter.” The statement explained.
Members of the Presidential Committee include:
- Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy-Chairperson
- Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy
- Representative of the Presidency
- Director, International Cultural Relations
- Special Assistant to the President on Creativity, Prince Baba Agba
- Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture
- Representative, Palace of the Oba of Benin
- Representative, Edo State Government
- Representative,Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Representative,German Embassy
- Representative, French Embassy
- Senator representing Edo South, Senator Neda Imasuen
- Representative,National Commission for Museums and Monuments
- Representative, Museum of West African Art
- Legal Adviser, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.
The presidency said: “In a decisive response to recent events at the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has directed the immediate formation of a high-level Presidential Committee tasked with developing a comprehensive framework for permanent resolution.
“This intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s
cultural patrimony while ensuring that all matters are addressed through dialogue, mutual
respect, and strict adherence to constitutional provisions.”
On the role of the Presidential think tank, “The committee’s mandate encompasses extensive consultation, rigorous fact-finding, and the formulation of actionable recommendations that balance Nigeria’s sovereign cultural interests with international partnerships and diplomatic considerations.
“This Presidential intervention demonstrates our unwavering dedication to preserving
Nigeria’s cultural heritage through peaceful means and established legal frameworks.”
Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa emphasized that, Cultural institutions are pillars of Nigeria’s national identity and must be protected through “collaborative approaches that respect both traditional custodianship and modern institutional structures.”
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations directly to President Tinubu, to
facilitate swift implementation of sustainable solutions that uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed that, “while the Constitution guarantees certain
fundamental freedoms, it equally demands responsibility in their exercise. “Nigeria’s cultural
spaces and artifacts represent our shared inheritance and deserve special protection under
both moral imperative and legal statute”, while urging the waring factions to embrace peace.
“All stakeholders are urged to maintain peace and cooperate fully with the Presidential
Committee as it pursues its vital mandate.”
Philip Iheanacho, promoter of MOWAA that, “…a group of roughly 20 men, some wielding baseball bats, descended on the property during reception for museum donors, industry professionals, and press.
“They caused some minor damage and forced guests to retreat inside for two hours before the institution could safely escort them offsite.
“Protesters entered and began vandalizing part of the reception pavilion, where we receive visitors, then they stormed inside the front section, where the exhibition area is located,” Ihenacho, the museum’s director and chairman, told Agence France Presse (AFP).
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