Benin City, January 8, 2025 — The vision of the immediate past governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to transform Edo into a premier art and tourism hub is already yielding significant dividends. The Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) in Benin City has been listed among the top global tourist destinations for 2025 by The New York Times.
The Museum of West African Art, an initiative of the Obaseki-led administration in collaboration with private partners, represents a monumental effort to create a world-class center that harnesses the economic, social, and cultural heritage of Edo State. This recognition by The New York Times underscores the success of Obaseki’s vision to position the state as a leading tourist destination in Africa and globally.
Published on January 6, 2025, the report by the New York Times highlights MOWAA as one of the must-visit cultural sites in the world. The museum stands proudly alongside other renowned tourist destinations in countries such as France, Australia, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Mexico, Scotland, and Norway.
The report, titled “A Cultural Scene Welcomes New Exhibitions of Traditional Art,” celebrates the Museum of West African Art as one of Africa’s most ambitious new exhibition spaces. Located within the Benin City Cultural District, MOWAA is expected to attract at least 10,000 visitors annually, drawn by its unique offerings and its role as a cultural hub.
According to the New York Times, “The Museum of West African Art, one of Africa’s most ambitious new exhibition spaces, opens this year in Benin City, the heart of a former powerful kingdom and the cultural hub of the Edo people.” The museum will feature an exhibition center clad in traditional pounded red earth, showcasing ancient terra-cotta statues, medieval bronzes, and intricately sculpted musical instruments from the early 20th century. Additionally, the space will include a hall for local artisans and a vast gallery with replanted rainforest flora.
The New York Times also noted that the new institution will complement Benin City’s existing cultural scene, which includes the Benin City National Museum, numerous art galleries, and traditional bronze and brass artisans.
The first phase of the MOWAA project, the Museum of West African Art Institute, was inaugurated late last year in Benin City. The institute addresses a critical need in the region for training in archaeology, conservation, heritage management, and museum practices. Situated within the ancient moats of the Benin Kingdom, the institute features an auditorium, storage facilities, a conservation lab, conference rooms, a library, exhibition space, offices, and an outdoor amphitheater.
Governor Obaseki’s commitment to developing Edo State’s cultural and artistic heritage has positioned the state as a significant player in the global tourism landscape. With the inclusion of MOWAA in The New York Times’ list of top tourist destinations for 2025, the vision for Edo State as a cultural and tourism hub is now a celebrated reality.
