Nigerian Museum Faces Protests, Cancels Preview

Protests Disrupt Nigerian Museums Preview: MOWAA Faces Backlash Over Benin Bronzes DisputeOn November ninth, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, faced unexpected protests, leading to the cancellation of its preview events. The museum, designed by David Adjaye, was targeted by demonstrators who demanded foreign guests leave the premises. The incident occurred just days before the museums grand opening, scheduled for Tuesday.The museum, a multi-million dollar project, was partly conceived to house the Benin Bronzes, artifacts looted by British soldiers in the nineteenth century. However, a dispute over the control of these artworks, which are not currently at the museum, appears to have fueled the protesters anger.According to officials, all guests were safely escorted away from the site. MOWAA issued an apology for the inconvenience caused, stating that the protest seemed to stem from disagreements between past and present state administrations. Many local residents feel that the project has been taken over by external interests.As a result of the unrest, MOWAA has canceled all remaining preview events and advised visitors to avoid the campus until the situation is resolved. The museum expressed gratitude to its guests for their understanding and patience during this challenging time. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.