MOWAA and the Burden of Deception

By: Owaen Fred Itua

For weeks, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) controversy has dominated Nigeria’s media space, reopening old wounds and raising critical questions about transparency, heritage, and leadership integrity. But as the facts continue to unfold, one truth stands indisputable: the MOWAA project, conceived under the immediate past administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is a legacy tainted by secrecy, conflict of interest, and historical betrayal.

MOWAA’s story is neither about art nor culture, it is a tale of political ambition cloaked in philanthropy. Recent revelations have exposed the network of actors behind the project: Mr. Ike Chioke, Group Managing Director of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited and key fundraiser for MOWAA; Mr. Philip Ihenacho, founder of Afrinvest (UK) Limited and now MOWAA’s Executive Director; and Mr. Godwin Obaseki himself, founder of Afrinvest and the political force that drove the museum’s establishment.

These three names; Obaseki, Chioke, and Ihenacho, are not coincidental participants; they are the central figures in both Afrinvest’s financial ecosystem and MOWAA’s controversial birth.

Under Obaseki’s watch, Edo State committed ₦3.8 billion and allocated prime government land, formerly home to the historic Benin Central Hospital, for the project. Yet, in a curious twist, the state owns no equity stake in MOWAA. The structure was carefully presented as a “private charitable trust,” insulated from state oversight. Edo taxpayers funded the foundation, but the state holds neither control nor representation. This, by every moral and governance standard, is unacceptable.

Even more disturbing is the deliberate rebranding of the project; from Benin Royal Museum to Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), and finally, to Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), an evolution that systematically erased the original intent and custodianship of the Benin Palace.

Archival documents and the Certificate of Occupancy confirm that the land title was originally issued to the Benin Royal Museum, aligning perfectly with the Palace’s assertion that the idea was conceived by the royal institution. Foreign donors and foreign governments, acting in good faith, channeled millions of euros under the impression that they were contributing to a Palace-led initiative, not a privately-controlled venture with obscure governance.

In truth, this is not the first time an Obaseki has stood at the crossroads of Benin’s history and betrayal. Historians recall that the forebears of the Obaseki family played roles in the chain of events that precipitated the tragic 1897 British invasion of Benin; a moment that scarred our collective heritage. More than a century later, another Obaseki appears to have attempted, through financial and political cunning, to alienate the Palace from its own cultural soul.

Thankfully, that chapter is now closed.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, in the spirit of transparency and respect for tradition, has restored balance to Edo’s governance ethos. His calm, measured leadership has brought clarity where there was confusion, truth where there was deception, and unity where there was division. He has reaffirmed the government’s respect for the Oba of Benin and his rightful place as custodian of the kingdom’s cultural heritage.

Today, Edo stands at the dawn of a new political culture, anchored on accountability, development, and citizen trust. From the construction of roads across the 18 local government areas, to the revival of education, health, and security infrastructure, Governor Okpebholo’s administration has shown that governance can be both humble and effective.

As his administration marks one year in office, Edo people must rise above distractions. The MOWAA controversy has served its purpose; it has exposed the dark intersections of power, profit, and heritage. Now, it is time to move forward.

Let Edo focus on rebuilding, not reliving betrayal. Let the Palace retain its rightful place as the spiritual and cultural custodian of Benin’s identity. And let Governor Monday Okpebholo continue steering the state toward transparency, integrity, and inclusive progress, the true art of good governance.

Fred Itua is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State