The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has dismissed allegations that he defrauded the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, regarding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.

Obaseki clarified that he was neither a trustee of MOWAA nor involved in its fundraising activities. He emphasized that his goal was not to personally build the museum but to create an enabling environment for Edo State to generate revenue through culture and the creative arts.

In an interview, Obaseki explained that the Benin Royal Museum was part of a broader cultural district plan, which also included the MOWAA Institute. He proposed the establishment of a trust involving the Benin Palace, the federal government, and the state government to coordinate efforts and ensure a unified approach.

Obaseki said, “I am not a trustee of MOWAA. My role as governor was to support institutions. Whether it is EMOWAA or MOWAA, it is not mine personally. The important thing is the objective, and we gave support as a government.”

He detailed that the Edo State government supported MOWAA by providing land, enabling policies, and funding, while ensuring collaboration with experts who could manage the museum project. Obaseki noted that MOWAA raised over €80 million, and Edo State could not have financed such a project alone.

“Government money cannot develop a state,” he said, stressing that MOWAA’s investment would generate tourism revenue and diversify Edo State’s economy beyond oil dependence.

Obaseki also clarified that disagreements arose after the Palace withdrew from the trust, but the state government continued to support the museum’s development and the Oba’s Royal Museum project.