Visit MOWAA in Benin City
MOWAA opens on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at 12 PM. Entry passes can be purchased at the Museum.
The Campus includes the MOWAA Institute, the inaugural exhibition Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming, a historical collections display, a shop, public spaces, gardens, and more.
MOWAA Daily Pass Rates
Entry passes are available for purchase at the Museum.
Admission is free for children under 16 and MOWAA members. For Benin Residents, ECOWAS citizens and international visitors, please be sure to bring the appropriate verification document listed below.
Opening hours
Wednesday to Friday
10AM–5PM
Saturday & Sunday
12PM–5PM
We are closed on Mondays & Tuesdays (except special events such as our Opening Day on 11 November 2025).
Address
The Museum of West African Art
1 Benin Sapele Road
Benin City, Edo State
30010
Nigeria
Getting to Benin City
Located approximately 30 minutes by air or a 3-and-a-half-hour drive from Lagos, Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, lying along key transport corridors connecting Lagos to Nigeria’s eastern states.
Several local airlines operate frequent flights to Benin City from Lagos, Abuja, and other cities in Nigeria.
MOWAA is located in the centre of Benin City – just a short 3 to 4 km drive from Benin City Airport (BNI), typically taking around 5 to 10 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
Getting Around
Transport: Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt operate within Benin City.
Money: The local currency is the Nigerian Naira (₦). ATMs are available in Benin, however we recommend changing money at the airport. Though international bank cards may work, we recommend carrying some cash for ease as well as for smaller vendors. Apps such as LemFi allow fast payments to Nigerian vendors from foreign bank accounts.
Connectivity: Local SIM cards are available at airports and major shops, however it is not possible to get a SIM card in Nigeria without a National Insurance Number, which is only available to Nigerian citizens. International e-sims through various platforms may be used, however roaming your phone from your international provider may be the easiest option – contact your provider on available plans. Selected hotels and restaurants in Benin may offer Wi-Fi.
Safety: Benin City is welcoming and lively. Like with all travel, we recommend basic precautions such as avoiding isolated areas after dark and keeping valuables secure when in transit, and locked in safes when in hotels.
About MOWAA
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is an independent non-profit institution dedicated to the preservation of heritage, expansion of knowledge and celebration of West African arts and culture. Find out more About Us.
FAQs
Contact
Visit guestrelations@wearemowaa.org
General info@wearemowaa.org
Press Inquiries press@wearemowaa.org
Development donations@wearemowaa.org
Programmes programmes@wearemowaa.org
Museum Store store@wearemowaa.org
Communications comms@wearemowaa.org