President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate constitution of a high-level Presidential Committee to develop a comprehensive framework for resolving the ongoing issues surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City.
According to a statement from the Presidency, the move underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and ensuring that all related matters are addressed through dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for the rule of law.
The committee is chaired by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, and includes key national and international stakeholders.
Its composition, the statement noted, reflects President Tinubu’s recognition of the historical, cultural, and diplomatic sensitivities involved in the matter.
Members of the committee include representatives from the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Palace of the Oba of Benin, the Edo State Government, and the Museum of West African Art, as well as delegates from the German and French embassies.
Senator Ned Imasuen (Edo South) and several senior officials of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy are also part of the panel.
The committee’s mandate covers extensive stakeholder consultations, fact-finding, and the development of actionable recommendations to align Nigeria’s sovereign cultural interests with international collaboration and diplomacy.
“This Presidential initiative underscores our unwavering resolve to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage through peaceful, lawful, and inclusive means,” said Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa. “Our cultural institutions are the soul of our identity and must be protected through cooperation between traditional custodians and modern governance structures.”
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The committee will submit its findings and recommendations directly to President Tinubu to facilitate swift and sustainable policy action aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem.
The Federal Government reiterated that while the Constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms, such rights must be exercised responsibly.
It urged all stakeholders to maintain peace and fully support the Presidential Committee in carrying out its mandate.
