Unuevbo TV
Protesters Storm Museum of West African Art in Benin City, Force Postponement of Opening Over Dispute on Name and Control
Protesters at the Museum of West African Art in Benin City on Sunday demanded the name be changed to the Benin Royal Museum.
The much‑anticipated opening of the $25 million Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City was abruptly postponed on Sunday, May 10, 2026, after aggrieved protesters stormed the venue and forced organisers to turn away guests. The demonstrators, angered by what they described as a refusal to acknowledge the cultural authority of the Oba of Benin, demanded that the museum be renamed the Benin Royal Museum and placed under the traditional institution's control. The standoff, lasting several hours, drew a line between competing visions of heritage: one rooted in the centuries‑old Benin monarchy, the other in contemporary, independent curatorship.
The Protest and Its Aftermath
Videos circulating on social media showed protesters insulting foreign guests and ordering them off the premises, though all visitors were safely escorted out by security personnel without physical harm. A protester who spoke to Unuevbo TV on condition of anonymity said the anger had been building for months. “You cannot build a museum in Benin City, on land that belongs to the Oba, and call it something else. It is an insult to our tradition,” he said. The demonstrators insisted that the museum must bear the name of the Benin Royal Family and operate under the Oba's supervision, arguing that the Benin Bronzes and the city's cultural legacy belong first to the palace, not to an independent trust.
MOWAA issued a statement shortly after the incident, saying the protest “appeared to stem from disputes between the previous and current state administrations” and emphasising that the museum is an independent, non‑profit organisation. Designed by the acclaimed British‑Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the museum was partly conceived as a home for the Benin Bronzes, though a separate dispute over ownership means the artefacts are not currently housed there. The postponement is expected to delay the official opening by several weeks while organisers engage with community stakeholders. “We remain committed to creating a space that honours Benin’s heritage and serves all Edo people,” the statement added.
Stay tuned to Unuevbo TV for further updates on this developing story, including any resolution between MOWAA and the palace.
© 2026 Unuevbo TV – All rights reserved. Republication only with permission.