In a move that signals a fresh wave of political accountability, or perhaps renewed political rivalry, the Edo State House of Assembly has received an official letter from the Executive arm headed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, aims to verify the state’s financial involvement and the status of the projects. calling for a full-scale investigation into two high-profile projects initiated by former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki: the Radisson Blu Hotel and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA). Both projects, once celebrated as symbols of modernization and cultural revival, are now under intense scrutiny for alleged inflated costs and unclear state ownership structures.

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Benin City is a new, 172-room hotel currently under construction and a project between the Edo State government and Radisson Hotel Group. It is located in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) and is intended to boost tourism and economic growth in the state, with expected completion in 2024. The hotel is planned to offer Scandinavian-inspired accommodation and amenities like a gym and spa.

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is a 4,500-square-metre state-of-the-art facility for collections storage, conservation, research and archaeology. According to their official website, the Museum will officially open its Campus in Benin City, Nigeria, to the public on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. The launch will see the unveiling of the MOWAA Institute.

The Projects in Question

A letter titled “Investigation of Two Critical Projects in the State,” dated October 8, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, was addressed to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, requesting a legislative probe. The letter read by Clerk Audu Omogbai, the Assembly is directed to look into the financial and administrative details surrounding the projects.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, located in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) along Sapele Road, have both been flagged for possible irregularities. The current government has raised concerns about: How fully paid contract sums were utilized, the actual state stake in both projects, and the demolition of part of the Edo Central Hospital to make way for MOWAA.

The Assembly’s Response

Speaker Blessing Agbebaku confirmed that an ad hoc committee will be constituted at the Assembly’s next sitting to carry out a detailed probe saying, “We have received a letter from the state government concerning the request to probe MOWAA and Radisson Blu Hotel,” Agbebaku said. “An ad hoc committee will be constituted at the next sitting to conduct a detailed investigation.”

The move reflects growing calls for transparency in public spending, especially as several Edo citizens have demanded clarity on why the state’s multi-billion naira investments in tourism and hospitality projects remain ambiguous.

The Controversy here is that while the Obaseki administration defended these projects as part of its legacy to reposition Edo as a cultural and economic hub, critics have accused the government of poor communication and opaque financial management. The Radisson Blu Hotel was reportedly fully funded by the state, yet questions linger over ownership and management arrangements. For MOWAA, the demolition of portions of the old Edo Central Hospital has stirred public resentment, especially among residents who feel healthcare infrastructure should not be sacrificed for cultural projects without clear compensatory plans.

The Bigger Picture

This probe arrives amid a tense political climate, with power transitions often triggering retrospective investigations into previous administrations’ actions. While some Edo residents hail the development as a welcome step toward accountability, others suspect it might be politically motivated, considering the rivalry between the past and current leadership in the state.

Also on the Assembly’s Table in the same sitting, the House also received another letter from the SSG seeking the screening and confirmation of nominees for the Edo State Judicial Service Commission. The Assembly also passed for second reading a bill to repeal the Edo State Private Health Facility (Prohibition) Law of 1984, replacing it with the Edo Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency Bill to strengthen oversight in healthcare delivery.

Whether this new probe will lead to genuine transparency or deepen political divisions in Edo remains to be seen. But one thing is clear, the citizens are watching closely. As public trust in governance wavers across Nigeria, Edo’s unfolding probe could set the tone for how much accountability truly matters in the post-Obaseki era.