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MOWAA, Owo Art and the Case for a Truly West African Museum
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious cultural projects of recent years. Founded in 2020 as an independent non-profit institution, its mission is to preserve, celebrate and expand knowledge of West African arts and culture through research, education, conservation… Listen ⇢
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Evaluating the Fallout of the MOWA Museum Delay for Nigeria’s Global Cultural Profile”
The vision behind the Museum of West African Art (MOWA) was never limited to bricks, galleries or architectural prestige. It was conceived as a cultural landmark capable of repositioning Nigeria, and particularly Edo State, at the centre of global conversations on African heritage, restitution, contemporary creativity and cultural diplomacy. The… Listen ⇢
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Indigenous Identities in Post-Colonial Nigeria: Yoruba First
Post-colonial Nigeria is a complex tapestry of indigenous identities shaped by centuries of history, colonial disruption, and modern statehood. Within this mosaic, the question of identity is not merely cultural but political, psychological, and existential. To say “Yoruba first” is not a call for exclusion, but an assertion that indigenous… Listen ⇢
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Tinubu’s aide says the Oyo Empire is history and urges modern unity among Yoruba monarchs
Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, has weighed in on the ongoing debate over supremacy among traditional rulers in Oyo State, saying the era of the Oyo Empire is long past and that today’s monarchs should focus on their contemporary roles. Ajayi argued… Listen ⇢
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The Table: Gender, Sacrifice, and Meaning in Samson Ojeifo’s Art
Samson Ojeifo’s artwork is titled “The Table.” The artwork is a fantastic portrayal of what is expected of modern women, who many men believe offer little or nothing to contribute to their relationships. Hence the popular term “what do you bring to the table.” This term is frequently used worldwide,… Listen ⇢
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Olu of Warri Condemns Itsekiri Marginalization in Powerful Speech
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, delivered a deeply powerful and emotionally charged speech that laid bare the long standing neglect of the Itsekiri nation, despite the vast natural resources found on its land. Speaking after a tour of several riverine communities in Warri North Local Government… Listen ⇢
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Culture as Common Ground: What Ondo State’s Festival Reveals About Unity in Nigeria
The Ondo State Government’s recent cultural festival offers a timely insight into how culture continues to function as one of Nigeria’s strongest tools for unity in a deeply diverse society. Beyond the music, dance, and ceremonial displays, the event reflected a broader national conversation about identity, belonging, and shared heritage.… Listen ⇢
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Olowe of Ise: Master Carver Who Carried Yoruba Art Beyond Its Homeland
Olowe of Ise (c. 1873–1938) was one of the most celebrated Yoruba sculptors, renowned for his mastery of woodcarving and innovative approach to form and composition. Born in Efon Alaye, Ekiti State, he became a court artist, creating elaborate doors, veranda posts, and shrine pieces for royal palaces, particularly in… Listen ⇢
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The Atlantic did not erase Yoruba culture. It stretched it.
At the heart of Yoruba culture is a cosmology that refuses separation. The living, the dead, the unborn, the gods, the land and the community exist in constant conversation. This worldview crossed the Atlantic intact. In Brazil it reappeared as Candomblé where Orisha such as Obatala Sango Ogun Osun and… Listen ⇢
Culture Beyond the Mainstream 