Priscilla Eleje Makes History as the First Woman to Sign the Nigerian Naira

For the very first time in Nigeria’s 59-year history, the signature of a woman, Priscilla Ekwere Eleje, goes on the naira.

Eleje, who has been acting director of currency and operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been confirmed, substantive director of the apex bank.

She is the first female director of currency in the history of the bank, and her signature has been appended on the naira — breaking another glass ceiling.

Ladi Kwali, Nigeria’s foremost potter, is the only woman on the naira, taking a spot at the back of the N20 note.

Every naira note in the country’s history — save the N20 note — has had the face, name, and signature of a man, up until now.

Eleje was confirmed on August 30, 2018, and currencies printed afterwards would carry her signature.

She is a psychology graduate of the University of Jos, Nigeria and an alumna of the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship programme in Banking and Management at Boston University, Massachusetts, USA. She is also a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA).

All Progressive Congress Nigeria via their official Twitter handle @APCNigeria posted yesterday, "First Female Director of Currency Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) @cenbank; Mrs. Priscilla Ekwere Eleje has achieved being the first female to have her signature on the 1000 naira note."