The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, has announced that it will officially open to the public on 11 November 2025.
Initially announced in 2020, the MOWAA campus is designed as a 15-acre complex that will feature the MOWAA Institute for research and education, the Rainforest Gallery for contemporary art exhibitions, the Art Guesthouse boutique hotel, the Artisans’ Hall performance venue, and other facilities.
The entire campus is expected to be finished by 2028.
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“Not just a museum”
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is an independent, non-profit institution dedicated to the preservation of heritage, the expansion of knowledge, and the celebration of West African arts and culture. In a statement, Institute director Ore Disu described MOWAA as “not just a museum” but as an institution focused on transformation.
“Globally, museums are increasingly being asked to justify their existence, whether it’s by way of funding cuts, restitution or falling visitor numbers,” says Disu.
“What’s important for us at MOWAA is to be truly embedded in building contextually relevant practices, regenerating African cites and scholarship, and using art as a catalyst for real impact … 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.”
The Institute provides 48,000 square feet for archaeological research, conservation, art storage, and public programs. MOWAA is organising exhibition tours, talks, workshops, and neighbourhood activations to celebrate the opening.
The inaugural exhibition, Nigeria Imaginary Homecoming, will be displayed across campus buildings. Curated by Aindrea Emelife, art historian and curator of modern and contemporary art at MOWAA, it will run until 26 April 2026.
The launch will be preceded by a two-day series of preview events. There will also be guided tours and a city-wide lineup of talks and workshops.
MOWAA has also announced the formation of an Artist Council to ensure that the museum’s programming remains artist-led. Members will serve two-year terms, providing mentorship in education and residency programmes and advising on exhibitions and research projects.
