Tinubu orders Presidential Panel to resolve MOWAA controversy immediately

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate constitution of a Presidential Committee to address recent developments at the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City.

The high-level committee, chaired by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, includes distinguished stakeholders from both national and international institutions, reflecting the complex historical, cultural, and diplomatic dimensions of the matter.

Members include representatives from the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Edo State Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, German and French Embassies, the National Council for Arts and Culture, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, and MOWAA itself.

President Tinubu’s directive mandates the committee to conduct extensive stakeholder consultations, undertake rigorous fact-finding, and develop actionable recommendations that reconcile Nigeria’s sovereign cultural interests with international partnerships and diplomatic considerations.

Hannatu Musa Musawa stated, “This Presidential intervention demonstrates our unwavering dedication to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage through peaceful means and within the established legal framework. Cultural institutions are pillars of our national identity and must be protected through collaborative approaches that respect both traditional custodianship and modern institutional structures.”

The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations directly to President Tinubu, ensuring swift implementation of sustainable solutions to safeguard Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem.

The Federal Government has also urged all stakeholders to maintain peace and fully cooperate with the committee’s mandate, stressing that while constitutional freedoms are guaranteed, they must be exercised responsibly to protect the nation’s shared heritage.

The establishment of this committee signals a proactive approach by the administration to preserve cultural artifacts, strengthen institutional frameworks, and balance domestic and international interests in managing Nigeria’s historical and cultural assets.