By Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate constitution of a high-level Presidential Committee to develop a comprehensive framework for the permanent resolution of issues surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City.
The President’s directive follows recent developments at MOWAA and underscores his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural heritage through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to constitutional provisions.
The committee is chaired by the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa. It includes representatives from key government institutions, traditional authorities, foreign partners, and the diplomatic community.
Members include:
1. Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (Chairperson)
2. Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy
3. Representative of the Presidency
4. Director, International Cultural Relations
5. Special Assistant to the President on Creativity
6. Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture
7. Representative of the Palace of the Oba of Benin
8. Representative of Edo State Government
9. Representative, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
10. Representatives of the German and French Embassies
11. Senator representing Edo South
12. Representative, National Commission for Museums and Monuments
13. Representative, Museum of West African Art (MOWAA)
14. Legal Adviser, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy
The committee has been tasked to conduct extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders, undertake fact-finding on all pertinent issues, and formulate actionable recommendations that balance Nigeria’s sovereign cultural interests with international partnerships and diplomatic sensitivities.
Speaking on the development, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa said the move demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to resolving cultural issues through peaceful, legal, and collaborative means.
> “This Presidential intervention demonstrates our unwavering dedication to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage within established legal frameworks,” she said. “Cultural institutions are pillars of our national identity and must be protected through approaches that reflect both traditional custodianship and modern institutional structures.”
The committee will submit its findings and recommendations directly to President Tinubu to ensure swift implementation of sustainable solutions that uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed that while the Constitution guarantees certain freedoms, it equally demands responsibility in their exercise. Nigeria’s cultural artifacts, the statement added, represent a shared national inheritance deserving of special moral and legal protection.
All stakeholders have been urged to maintain peace and cooperate fully with the Presidential Committee in carrying out its mandate.