The only woman to ever grace the back of a Nigeria naira note. She was born in 1925 in Kwali, a village in modern-day Abuja.
As a child, she was taught how to make pots using coiling. She made many pots, cups, bowls, and other household utensils. She developed into arguably the most famous Potter in the history of Nigeria. Her signatory designs and patterns including illustrations of animals like birds, snakes, lizards, and chameleons made her stand out among her peers.
Her growing fame soon cut the attention of Michael Cardew, who was then the Pottery Officer in the Department of Commerce and Industry in the colonial Nigerian Government. Ladi became the first female Potter to join the newly established Abuja Pottery where she honed her skill and soon became an instructor.
Ladi Kwali died on the 12th of August 1984, her lovely legacy is being celebrated today by Google via the famous Google's Doodle.
Some Awards and Recognitions:
- 1980 - Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNOM).
- 1963 Member of the Order of the British Empire
- 1981 - Order of the Niger (OON).
- Her picture appears at the back of the Nigerian N20 Naira note.
- Doctorate degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1977
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