MOWAA announces public opening of first campus building, inaugural exhibition and artist council
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has confirmed the public opening of its first campus building – the MOWAA Institute – on 11 November 2025, during Nigeria’s arts season.
This launch will mark a major step in MOWAA’s plan to develop a cultural campus in Benin City, alongside the unveiling of its inaugural exhibition and the formation of an Artist Council.
The MOWAA Institute spans approximately 4,500 square metres, housing state-of-the-art facilities for archaeological research, conservation, public programmes and collection storage. It is the first building on the MOWAA Campus to open to the public, with more to follow by 2028, including the Rainforest Gallery, Artist Studios, Art Guesthouse and Artisans’ Hall.
The inaugural exhibition, titled Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming, will restage the Nigerian Pavilion from the 60th Venice Biennale and feature new work by Kelani Abass, Modupeola Fadugba, Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, and Isaac Emokpae. Curated by Aindrea Emelife, the exhibition opens across multiple campus sites and runs until 11 April 2026.
MOWAA also announced the formation of its inaugural Artist Council, a body of African and diasporic artists selected to guide institutional development and programming. Confirmed members include Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Michael Armitage, Victor Ehikhamenor, Nengi Omuku, Dr. Odun Orimolade, and Kaloki Nyamai. Members will serve two-year terms, offering mentorship, advising on exhibitions, and helping shape residency and research programmes.
“This is not a ceremonial committee; it is an engine of collective authorship,” said Emelife.
MOWAA has also partnered with Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to host a multi-year lending programme, including the first public display of historic Nigerian objects. The collaboration also supports local training and conservation infrastructure.
An ongoing partnership with the French Embassy in Nigeria will support cultural preservation, professional training and public engagement. This includes a binational archival training programme, a mobile cultural landmarks app, and support for MOWAA’s public and residency programmes.
“MOWAA is committed to working with others to build a regenerative and interconnected creative ecosystem,” said Ore Disu, Director of the MOWAA Institute.
The launch highlights MOWAA’s long-term commitment to artist-led engagement and institutional collaboration across Africa and the diaspora.