Edo State Spent N3.8bn on Museum Project, Report Reveals

The Special Committee on the Museum of West African Art submitted its report to the Edo State Government, revealing that the state spent N3.8bn on the project during Governor Godwin Obaseki's administration. The committee, chaired by former governor Adams Oshiomhole, was tasked with verifying the ownership status of the museum.

Oshiomhole stated that the Obaseki administration changed the museum's name multiple times and that the management claimed to have received over $18m for land acquisition and archaeological excavation, which the investigation found to be false. The report recommended that the museum be renamed the Benin Royal Museum of Africa Art and returned to the Oba of Benin for management.

Oshiomhole emphasized that the museum's facility should not be demolished. Governor Obaseki commended the committee for its comprehensive report and vowed to implement its recommendations.