MOWAA的开业推迟至2026年,并重新命名为贝宁皇家博物馆,重点是归还的文物。 MOWAA's opening is delayed to 2026, with rebranding to Benin Royal Museum and focus on repatriated artifacts.

贝宁城的西非艺术博物馆(MOWAA)将于2025年11月正式开放,正式启用将推迟到明年,用于建筑和利益攸关方的参与。 The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City will not officially open in November 2025, with the formal launch postponed to next year for construction and stakeholder engagement. 十一月的活动包括预览活动和首次亮相的"尼日利亚想象:回家",这是2024年威尼斯双年展的扩展展览. November events include preview activities and the debut of "Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming," an expanded exhibition from the 2024 Venice Biennale. MOWAA澄清说,它并不声称贝宁青铜厂拥有所有权,在征得同意后持有所有文物,并申明它把重点放在现代和当代西非艺术上。 MOWAA clarified it does not claim ownership of Benin Bronzes, holding all artifacts with consent, and affirmed its focus on modern and contemporary West African art. 它将作为一个非营利信托基金运作,将资金再投资于文化方案,并强调与前总督戈德温·奥巴斯基没有金融联系。 It will operate as a nonprofit trust, reinvesting funds into cultural programs, and emphasized no financial ties to former governor Godwin Obaseki. 一个州任命的委员会正在审查MOWAA的法律地位,而州长Monday Okpebholo和Oba Ewuare II已同意将该博物馆重新命名为贝宁皇家博物馆,以履行其原先的收藏归国文物的目的。 A state-appointed committee is reviewing MOWAA’s legal status, while Governor Monday Okpebholo and Oba Ewuare II have agreed to rebrand the museum as the Benin Royal Museum, honoring its original purpose to house repatriated artifacts. 该项目由Edo州和国际捐助者资助,预计将促进旅游业和就业。 The project, funded by Edo State and international donors, is expected to boost tourism and employment.