Benin: Minister Abimbola assesses the progress of the International Vodun Museum in Porto-Novo
The construction site of the Musée international du Vodun, located at the entrance to Porto-Novo, was visited by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Babalola Jean Michel Hervé Abimbola, on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Jean Michel Abimbola, du Tourisme, de la Culture et des Arts
This visit is part of the close monitoring of the major cultural projects undertaken by the government.
The minister was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Head of State, Alain Godonou, as well as by several technical officials. The delegation went to assess the progress of work on the museum complex under construction, located on nearly one and a half hectares.
A working session allowed them to assess overall progress, identify areas that need reinforcement, and review certain technical parameters with the companies involved.
The group then toured the various spaces already erected. The reception hall, the auditorium, the building inspired by Afro-Brazilian architecture, the structures designed to resemble gourds, and the areas planned for museography workshops were inspected.
The delegation also stopped at Place Toffa, where the king’s statue stands, to check its visual and symbolic integration within the overall project.
At the end of the visit, Minister Abimbola reaffirmed the government’s determination to elevate this museum to the status of one of the country’s major cultural references. The stated objective is to create a place capable of showcasing, with rigor and modernity, the historical and spiritual importance of Vodun in Benin.