Inside Edo
Okpebholo claims total ignorance of MOWAA, blames Obaseki’s secrecy, hospital demolition
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
11 Nov 2025 04:30 PM
Benin, Edo – The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has sensationally declared that he knows absolutely nothing about the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project, accusing the immediate-past administration of Godwin Obaseki of deliberate secrecy and failure to hand over any documentation.
“The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project. I know nothing about its transactions or agreements,” Governor Okpebholo told European diplomats at Government House on Monday, expressing shock that a high-level foreign delegation visited Edo State for MOWAA activities without his administration being informed.
The Governor’s bombshell revelation came during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, German Ambassador Dr. Annett Günther, and diplomats from the Netherlands and Belgium.
He later led the delegation to the Oba of Benin Palace where the monarch also accused the Obaseki administration of attempting to “mortgage” Benin ancestral artifacts.
In a scathing attack, Governor Okpebholo condemned the demolition of the historic Central Hospital in Benin City to make way for MOWAA, questioning the rationale behind the decision.
“Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a museum? We are proud of our heritage, but development must be responsible and people-centred,” he said, describing the action as irresponsible and anti-people.
The Governor revealed that his administration has set up a committee to thoroughly investigate the entire MOWAA project, including its evolution from the Benin Royal Museum to Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) and finally to MOWAA, without proper consultation with the Benin Kingdom.
He stressed that the lack of transparency by the previous government had created unnecessary controversy, noting that even the Oba of Benin was kept in the dark and pressured to sign documents that would have stripped the kingdom of rights over its artifacts.
While welcoming foreign partnerships, Governor Okpebholo insisted that any collaboration must be transparent and respect Benin traditions.
“Edo people are peace-loving, but we will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture,” he declared.
The European diplomats, in response, expressed regret over recent incidents and pledged to support transparency.
German Ambassador Dr. Günther reaffirmed her country’s commitment to cultural preservation, including the return of over 1,200 Benin Bronzes, while emphasizing that MOWAA can only succeed in a “peaceful and transparent environment.”
As the investigation committee begins its work, the MOWAA controversy has exposed deep governance gaps in project handover and raised fresh questions about accountability in one of Nigeria’s most ambitious cultural heritage initiatives.
“The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project. I know nothing about its transactions or agreements,” Governor Okpebholo told European diplomats at Government House on Monday, expressing shock that a high-level foreign delegation visited Edo State for MOWAA activities without his administration being informed.
The Governor’s bombshell revelation came during a meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, German Ambassador Dr. Annett Günther, and diplomats from the Netherlands and Belgium.
He later led the delegation to the Oba of Benin Palace where the monarch also accused the Obaseki administration of attempting to “mortgage” Benin ancestral artifacts.
In a scathing attack, Governor Okpebholo condemned the demolition of the historic Central Hospital in Benin City to make way for MOWAA, questioning the rationale behind the decision.
“Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a museum? We are proud of our heritage, but development must be responsible and people-centred,” he said, describing the action as irresponsible and anti-people.
The Governor revealed that his administration has set up a committee to thoroughly investigate the entire MOWAA project, including its evolution from the Benin Royal Museum to Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) and finally to MOWAA, without proper consultation with the Benin Kingdom.
He stressed that the lack of transparency by the previous government had created unnecessary controversy, noting that even the Oba of Benin was kept in the dark and pressured to sign documents that would have stripped the kingdom of rights over its artifacts.
While welcoming foreign partnerships, Governor Okpebholo insisted that any collaboration must be transparent and respect Benin traditions.
“Edo people are peace-loving, but we will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture,” he declared.
The European diplomats, in response, expressed regret over recent incidents and pledged to support transparency.
German Ambassador Dr. Günther reaffirmed her country’s commitment to cultural preservation, including the return of over 1,200 Benin Bronzes, while emphasizing that MOWAA can only succeed in a “peaceful and transparent environment.”
As the investigation committee begins its work, the MOWAA controversy has exposed deep governance gaps in project handover and raised fresh questions about accountability in one of Nigeria’s most ambitious cultural heritage initiatives.
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