The Museum of West African Art opened in late 2025, bringing international museum standards to Benin City for the first time. The museum was conceived partly in response to the ongoing campaign for repatriation of Benin bronzes from European collections, and it provides both a home for repatriated objects and a broader platform for West African art and culture.
The building itself is striking — designed by a Nigerian architectural firm with a mandate to reflect Edo aesthetics. The permanent collection spans traditional Benin art alongside contemporary West African work. Unlike the older National Museum, MOWAA is designed with international visitors in mind: good lighting, bilingual labels, a café, and a well-stocked shop. The proximity to the National Museum makes it natural to visit both in the same day.