By Patience Chat Moses
Anew chapter in global cultural discourse is set to begin as the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) announces the official opening of its groundbreaking campus in Benin City, Nigeria, on 11 November 2025. This highly anticipated launch will not only unveil a state-of-the-art facility but also mark a significant step in reclaiming and celebrating African and diasporic cultural narratives on their own terms.
The opening will feature the grand unveiling of the MOWAA Institute, a sprawling 4,500-square-metre facility dedicated to advanced collections storage, conservation, research, and archaeology. Complementing this will be MOWAA’s inaugural exhibition, “Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming.” This expanded presentation of the acclaimed Nigeria Pavilion from the Venice Arts Biennale 2024, organised by MOWAA itself, promises to be a compelling exploration of identity and belonging. Visitors can also look forward to MOWAA’s inaugural historic collections display, showcasing invaluable works that have never been publicly exhibited in Nigeria before, offering a fascinating glimpse into the museum’s rapidly growing collections and evolving conservation practices. The campus and downtown Benin City will come alive with a dynamic programme of exhibition tours, insightful talks, engaging workshops, and captivating film screenings.
Ahead of its official opening, MOWAA recently made headlines with the announcement of its inaugural Artist Council. This innovative council aims to extend MOWAA’s mission beyond its physical boundaries, ensuring that the development and growth of its flagship programming remain genuinely artist-led. Through vital dialogue that explores contemporary artistic and socio-political landscapes, these esteemed council members are set to shape a programme rooted in collective vision and artistic rigour.
Among the prominent names on the council are celebrated artists such as Yinka Shonibare, Michael Armitage, Victor Ehikhamenor, Nengi Omuku, Odun Orimolade, and Kaloki Nyamai. These members, chosen for their strong connections with other arts organisations across the African continent, will serve two-year terms. Their roles will involve providing invaluable mentorship in education and residency programmes, and offering expert advice on exhibitions and research projects. This strategic selection creates vital opportunities for collaboration with MOWAA through joint initiatives and special projects, fostering deeper engagement and shared cultural influence across Africa and beyond.
The Council strongly embodies MOWAA’s dedication to reimagining and emphasising the importance of African and diasporic cultural production, while anchoring urgent discussions in real spaces and active practices.
According to Institute Director Ore Disu, MOWAA is envisioned as much more than just a museum; it is an institution focused on profound transformation.
“Globally, museums are increasingly being asked to justify their existence, whether it’s by way of funding cuts, restitution, or falling visitor numbers,” Disu noted. “What’s important for us at MOWAA is to be truly embedded in building contextually relevant practices, regenerating African cities and scholarship, and using art as a catalyst for real impact.” She added, “We started this work five years ago at our inception, and we are proud to continue to show that Africa can provide new ways of thinking and doing as we open our doors this November.”
This grand public opening comes one year after the institution offered a preview with its “Museum in the Making,” a two-day “hard-hat opening” for media and 250 guests. That event provided a tantalising glimpse, accompanied by workshops and tours through the ongoing archaeological excavations on-site, building anticipation for the full reveal.
For art enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and anyone eager to witness a landmark moment in African cultural revival, MOWAA in Benin City promises to be an essential destination.
