Gov Okpebholo revokes Edo Museum’s Certificate of Occupancy

The ownership, operations, and governance structures surrounding the Museum of West African Art took a new turn on Monday, November 10, 2025, as the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, revoked the organisation’s certificate of occupancy.

The letter, sighted by DAILY POST, is dated October 21, 2025, and was personally signed by the governor.

Okpebholo said the revocation was in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (now an Act).

He stated that the action, which was taken in the overriding public interest, was intended to return the property to the Central Hospital — a heritage institution that has existed for over a hundred years.

The letter is titled, “Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy Pursuant to Sections 28 and 38.”

The letter read in part: “Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sections (28) 1 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revoke the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to Edo Museum of West Africa Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE for over-riding public interest, that is, to be given back to Central Hospital, which is a heritage for the state, as it has existed for over 100 years, and it is in respect of all that property known and referred to as digital Plot No 61977, ZONE HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, measuring an area of approximately 6.210 hectares.

“The boundaries of which are described in detailed survey at the back of the Certificate of Occupancy dated 28th day of November, 2022, which is registered as No. 169 at Page 3 in Volume 45 now kept in EDOGIS Lands Registry at Benin City, Edo State in favour of Edo Museum of West Africa Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE.”