The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is set to open its doors to the public on November 11 with a landmark exhibition titled “Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming.”
The exhibition, an expanded version of the Nigeria Pavilion showcased at the 2024 Venice Biennale, represents the museum’s first major curatorial statement since its establishment.
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In a statement issued to the Media on Wednesday in Lagos, MOWAA’s Head of Communications and Media Relations, Mrs. Wase Aguele-Konu, announced the development.
She noted that details of the museum’s full opening-week programme would be published on Friday via its official website, wearemowaa.org.
Aguele-Konu added that MOWAA anticipates significant interest from residents of Benin City, the broader Edo community, visitors from across Nigeria and the ECOWAS region, as well as international tourists and scholars.
“Discounted entry rates will be available for Benin residents and ECOWAS nationals to ensure accessibility and encourage local engagement and ownership,” she said.
Through its City Connections Programme, MOWAA is collaborating with Benin-based artists, cultural practitioners and entrepreneurs to host events and workshops across the city.
According to Aguele-Konu, the initiative will help extend the museum’s impact beyond its walls, strengthen Benin’s cultural ecosystem and promote local hospitality and businesses.
She said the museum had also partnered with several local hotels, food vendors and transport providers to assist visitors during the opening week and afterwards.
“MOWAA will also unveil its Historical Collections Display, featuring works from across West Africa spanning more than three millennia.
“The display includes loans from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), private collectors and partner institutions, with several pieces being shown in Nigeria for the first time.”. Aguele-Konu explained that the exhibition would offer visitors “an early insight into the museum’s broader curatorial vision and ethos.”
She recalled that in September, MOWAA held “MOWAA Meets Lagos,” a satellite event that brought together artists and curators to foster collaboration and drive momentum within Nigeria’s creative industry.
According to her, the Benin-based institution plans to host similar initiatives in other states to engage creative communities and boost domestic cultural tourism.
Aguele-Konu also noted that the museum’s campus houses the MOWAA Institute, which focuses on art conservation, research, and training programmes open to the media for feature coverage.
NAN/Oluchi