Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has revoked the land ownership previously granted to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), declaring that the property will revert to its original use as the Benin Central Hospital.
The announcement was made through an official statement from the governor titled, “Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy Pursuant to Sections 28 and 38.”
According to the statement, the decision was taken in the overriding public interest, in line with the powers conferred on the governor by Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978.
“Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the power conferred upon me by Section (28) 1 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Executive Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revoke the Statutory Rights of Occupancy granted to Edo Museum Of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE for overriding public interest,” the statement read in part.
The affected property, identified as Digital Plot No. 61977, Zone HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City, is located in Oredo Local Government Area and covers approximately 6.210 hectares.
Governor Okpebholo further disclosed that the land, which formerly housed the demolished Central Hospital, would be restored to serve its original purpose as a public medical facility that has historically provided healthcare to residents of Benin City for over a century.
The revocation follows recent controversies surrounding MOWAA’s ownership and purpose, which escalated after a mob stormed the museum’s preview event in Benin City on Sunday, forcing its closure.
The incident, which drew national and international attention, saw protesters chanting in defence of the Oba of Benin and accusing the project of undermining the Benin Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Director of MOWAA, Phillip Ihenacho, in the statement also clarified that the museum does not hold, nor has it ever claimed ownership of, any Benin Bronzes.
In response to the unrest, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s cultural heritage and calling for calm and dialogue.
MOWAA, in turn, suspended its preview events and advised visitors to stay away pending resolution of the crisis.
The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, had earlier insisted that the project should revert to its original conception as the Benin Royal Museum, while Governor Okpebholo had pledged to align the state’s position with that vision.
With the latest revocation, the fate of the MOWAA project remains uncertain as the Edo State Government moves to reclaim the disputed land and redirect it toward public healthcare use.
