Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to prosecute anyone implicated in the alleged irregularities surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project, marking a major escalation in the long-running controversy over ownership, governance and transparency.
Speaking in Benin City while hosting the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, the governor said the state could no longer overlook red flags that point to questionable administrative practices.
According to Okpebholo, suspicious alterations were made to MOWAA’s registration documents barely six days before his swearing-in—changes he described as “deeply troubling” for a multimillion-dollar cultural project built on heritage, trust and public accountability.
“This matter will end in criminal prosecution,” the governor declared.
He stressed that Edo State is not against investors, but will not tolerate any attempt to undermine public interest or compromise Nigeria’s cultural patrimony through opaque dealings.
“Our duty is to protect Edo and, by extension, Nigeria. There will be no hiding place for criminals in our land,” Okpebholo stated.
The governor added that his administration was not notified about the arrival of expatriates allegedly flown in for a “commissioning ceremony” planned for Sunday — an action he said further exposed the project’s lack of transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Federal Government Backs Probe, Calls It “An Original Sin”
Minister Hannatu Musa-Musawa affirmed that the Federal Government is fully aware of the issues surrounding MOWAA. She said the controversy represents “an original sin” that must be resolved to safeguard the dignity of traditional institutions and protect Nigeria’s cultural reputation globally.
The minister commended Edo State’s historic contributions to Nigeria’s arts and heritage, noting that Benin’s cultural legacy remains one of Africa’s most influential symbols of identity and creativity.
She pledged full cooperation to ensure that the MOWAA project is repositioned on a foundation of transparency, accountability and collective ownership.
Stakeholders Rally Behind Reform
Top government officials — including Edo Assembly Speaker Blessing Agbebaku and Attorney General Roland Otaru (SAN) — joined the meeting, signalling unified political support for resolving the MOWAA matter.
As the Federal Government and Edo State begin a joint review, expectations are rising across the cultural sector for a transparent audit of the MOWAA structure, its agreements and its governance processes.
The unfolding probe could redefine cultural project governance across Nigeria and set a new benchmark for transparency in heritage-led development.
