A highly anticipated preview event at the newly constructed Museum of West African Art (Mowaa) in Benin City, Nigeria, was abruptly halted on Sunday as protesters stormed the premises, directing their anger at foreign visitors. The $25 million museum, designed by British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye, was envisioned as a cultural hub and a potential home for the Benin Bronzes—priceless artifacts looted by British soldiers in the 19th century. However, the absence of these artifacts, coupled with disputes over the museum’s governance, fueled the demonstrators’ ire. Videos from the scene captured protesters verbally assaulting guests and demanding their departure. The museum’s management swiftly escorted all visitors to safety and issued a public apology for the disruption. According to a local resident, the protest reflects broader dissatisfaction among Edo State’s traditional rulers and government officials, who feel sidelined in the museum’s operations. The museum’s executive director, Phillip Ihenacho, clarified that Mowaa aims to serve a pan-African purpose, explaining the decision to remove ‘Edo’ from its name. The institution emphasized its independence and non-profit status, distancing itself from political affiliations. In response to the unrest, Mowaa has canceled all preview events leading up to its grand opening on Tuesday and advised visitors to avoid the campus until tensions subside. The incident underscores the complex legacy of colonial-era looted art and the challenges of cultural restitution in modern Africa.