The Edo State House of Assembly has recommended that Governor Monday Okpebholo take immediate possession of two flagship developments, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel.
The call comes at the end of a contentious probe into the projects’ funding, ownership, and management, initiated under the previous administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The ad-hoc committees, established following Governor Okpebholo’s October request, concluded their investigations with findings that highlighted significant state investments and unresolved questions about governance.
The state reportedly contributed N3.8 billion to MOWAA and N28 billion to the Radisson Blu Hotel, with concerns raised over payments to private entities like River Jameson, which holds an 80% stake in the hotel despite allegedly providing no direct funding.
MOWAA, a state-of-the-art cultural institution founded in 2020 and designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye, was envisioned as a hub for preserving and celebrating West African arts and heritage. Spanning a 15-acre campus in Benin City, it features sustainable architecture using local rammed earth, research facilities, exhibition spaces, and an archaeological site atop ancient Benin ruins. The museum aimed to showcase contemporary and historical works, including loans from European institutions, and had planned its public opening for November 11, 2025.
However, the launch was indefinitely postponed after protests disrupted a preview event, amid disputes over its role in housing repatriated Benin Bronzes and its independence from the Oba of Benin.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, a 169-room upscale property in Benin City’s Government Reserved Area, was signed as a public-private partnership with Radisson Hotel Group in 2023 to boost tourism and business. Construction progressed rapidly, reaching about 70% completion by late 2025, with expectations of enhancing the state’s hospitality landscape.
The probe revealed tensions, including former Governor Obaseki’s refusal to appear before the committee, citing court proceedings, and MOWAA’s management similarly declining to engage.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration has accused the projects of lacking transparency, while MOWAA has emphasized its non-profit status and focus on broader West African culture, denying any claims to Benin Bronzes.
The Assembly’s recommendation for state possession signals a potential shift in control, raising questions about the future of these high-profile initiatives meant to elevate Edo State’s cultural and economic profile.
As the governor weighs the next steps, the developments remain mired in legal and political uncertainty, with stakeholders awaiting resolution in the new year.