Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revoked the Right of Occupancy (R.O.O.) earlier granted to the management of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), amid escalating controversy surrounding the project.
The move follows weeks of tension after the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, accused former Governor Godwin Obaseki of diverting donor funds and altering the original plan for the Benin Royal Museum without palace approval.
The Oba had described the former governor’s actions as a betrayal, alleging that the establishment of the Legacy Restoration Trust transferred control of the project to a private entity, undermining the rights of the Benin people over their historical artefacts.
The revocation notice, personally signed by Governor Okpebholo and dated October 21, 2025, was made public on Monday in Benin City.
According to the governor, the action was taken “in overriding public interest.”
Issued under the title “Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy Pursuant to Sections 28 and 38”, the notice cites the authority vested in the governor by the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (now the Land Use Act).
Okpebholo declared that the land previously allocated to the Edo Museum of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE has been reclaimed by the state and will be restored to its former use as the Benin Central Hospital, a historic facility that served the city for over a century before being demolished during the Obaseki administration.
The statement reads: “Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the power conferred upon me by Section (28) 1 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Executive Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revoke the Statutory Rights of Occupancy granted to Edo Museum of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE for overriding public interest.”
The governor explained that the property, Digital Plot No. 61977, Zone HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City, in Oredo Local Government Area, measures approximately 6.210 hectares. It occupies the site of the demolished Central Hospital, which had been cleared for the MOWAA project.
He added that the property boundaries were detailed in the survey attached to the Certificate of Occupancy dated November 28, 2022, registered as No. 169 at page 3, Volume 45, in the EDOGIS Land Registry, Benin City.
The revocation represents a major reversal of decisions taken under the Obaseki administration, which drew criticism from the Benin Royal Palace and heritage advocates over the demolition of the hospital and alleged sidelining of traditional authorities in the museum project.
