The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin, Nigeria, is set to open for the public in November this year.
First announced in 2020, the project is still under construction and is expected to be completed in 2028. However, some sections will be opened to the general public in November. Spread over 15 acres, the structure includes the MOWAA Institute (for research and education), the Rainforest Gallery (a contemporary exhibition space), the Art Guesthouse (a hotel for guests), the Artisan’s Hall (a performance space), and many others. 48,000 square feet is dedicated to conservation, restoration, archaeological research, etc.
The November inauguration will be marked by the “Nigeria Imaginary Homecoming” exhibition. Curated by Aindrea Emelife, it will be a reprise of the Nigerian pavilion she curated for the recent Venice Biennale. Apart from all the artists from the original lineup, the exhibition will also feature four new names: Kelani Abass, Modupeola Fadugba, Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, and Isaac Emokpae. The exhibition, which will be spread across multiple buildings in the MOWAA, will run through April 26, 2026.
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Prior to the inauguration, there would be two days of “preview” which would include guided city tours, workshops, a glimpse into Nigerian culture and history. There would also be an announcement of the full slate of ongoing programming till February 2026. Ore Disu, director of the MOWAA, said: “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.”
