In a significant advancement for cultural preservation and academic collaboration, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has entered a ground-breaking partnership with the University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN). This alliance, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), promises to reshape the landscape of archaeology and heritage management in Nigeria.
Established in 2020, MOWAA operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding and promoting West Africa’s rich artistic traditions. With the support of a substantial $3 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, MOWAA has laid a foundation for arts management and education initiatives throughout the region. This latest collaboration aims to enhance knowledge exchange, providing UI and UNIBEN researchers with access to MOWAA’s state-of-the-art laboratories and archival resources.
Ore Disu, Director of MOWAA’s Institute, emphasized the initiative’s transformative potential. “This partnership represents a pivotal moment for heritage perception in Nigeria,” he stated. “By fostering innovative practices in archaeology and cultural preservation, we are not only protecting our heritage but also creating job opportunities for a new generation of practitioners.”
The collaboration is rooted in a commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. Professors from both universities have expressed enthusiasm about the potential for joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, and enhanced community involvement. UI lecturer Aderemi Ajala remarked, “This partnership will undoubtedly advance our cultural knowledge, benefiting both our students and the communities we serve.”
Similarly, UNIBEN Vice-Chancellor Lilian Salami highlighted the initiative’s role in revitalizing global interest in Benin’s historical significance, stating, “By combining our academic expertise with MOWAA’s innovative approach, we can empower the next generation of scholars.”
This MoU follows MOWAA’s earlier successes, including a five-year partnership with the University of Oxford, aimed at developing its archaeological science laboratories. Additionally, MOWAA has initiated a project involving pre-construction archaeology and digital mapping of historic monuments in Benin, undertaken in collaboration with the British Museum, the German Archaeological Institute, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. These initiatives align Nigerian archaeological practices with global standards, fostering an environment of scholarly growth and professional development.
To further solidify these efforts, MOWAA will host a seminar in November focusing on the Futures of Archaeology, which will convene stakeholders from various institutions, including the German Archaeological Institute and the Archaeological Association of Nigeria. This event will showcase ongoing research, conservation initiatives, and community engagement opportunities, further demonstrating MOWAA’s commitment to cultural enrichment.
The partnership between MOWAA, UI, and UNIBEN stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating how collaborative efforts can elevate cultural understanding and preservation on both local and global stages.
