Tunji Adeniyi-Jones at MOWAA

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has opened its first campus building, the MOWAA Institute in Benin City, with the group exhibition ‘Nigeria Imaginary’, featuring work by Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, among others.

Marking a significant moment in the evolution of cultural institutions across the African continent, MOWAA also unveiled its inaugural Artist Council, which brings together leading contemporary African and diasporic artists, including Michael Armitage and Ibrahim Mahama. The council is committed to shaping the future of artistic expression and institutional engagement across Africa and beyond.

Council members include Michael Armitage and Ibrahim Mahama, alongside Victor Ehikhamenor, Nengi Omuku, Dr Odun Orimolade, Kaloki Nyamai and Yinka Shonibare.

Michael Armitage has said: 'I am delighted to be part of the MOWAA Artist Council as an artist and representative of Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI). The impact of art institutions in Africa will depend upon our ability to work with other organisations across the continent. With this in mind, I look forward to developing the relationship between NCAI and MOWAA as we grow our community between Kenya and Nigeria and broaden the reach of art on the continent.'