The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has withdrawn the certificate of occupancy (C-of-O) previously issued to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).
The move follows mounting public outrage and firm opposition from Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, regarding the demolition of the Central Hospital in Benin City to make room for the museum project.
The revocation was announced less than a day after tensions flared at a preview exhibition held at the museum on Sunday, where protesters expressing allegiance to the Benin Palace disrupted the event.
The occasion, attended by foreign envoys including the ambassadors of the European Union and Germany, was abruptly halted as security personnel evacuated guests amid rising commotion.
In a revocation order dated October 21, 2025, Okpebholo stated that the land earlier granted to MOWAA has now been repossessed by the Edo State Government.
He cited overriding public interest and questions about transparency as reasons for the decision.
The governor clarified that the property “known as Digital Plot No. 61977, Zone HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City, in Oredo Local Government Area, measures approximately 6.210 hectares and was the site of the demolished Central Hospital,” adding that the land would now revert to its original use for public healthcare services.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by Fred Itua, his aide, Okpebholo explained that his administration had not been officially notified of the foreign delegation’s visit to Edo State for activities linked to MOWAA.
He described the situation as yet another instance of “lack of transparency” that has plagued the museum initiative from its inception.
“Honestly, I wasn’t aware that such a gathering was going to take place; that’s the truth. The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government,” the statement reads.
“It is curious how the project evolved from the Benin Royal Museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), and now to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), without clarity or consultation with our revered traditional institution.”
The governor further revealed that his administration has constituted a committee to examine the entire project “and make appropriate recommendations.”
In response, MOWAA’s management rejected claims that the museum had attempted to assert ownership over any Benin Bronzes or challenge the authority of the Oba of Benin.
In a statement on Monday, the museum maintained that it has never misrepresented itself as the Benin Royal Museum to solicit funding and urged relevant authorities to confirm this with donors.
“MOWAA holds His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II (CFR), the Oba of Benin, in the highest esteem and continues to uphold deep respect for the Benin Throne,” the statement reads.
MOWAA’s director, Phillip Ihenacho, expressed disappointment over the recent protest but said he “hopes this moment can lead to renewed dialogue, engagement and understanding, so that together we can realise the full potential of what MOWAA can represent for Nigeria and Africa at large.”