For the very first time in the history of the entity called Nigeria, a woman’s signature will be appended on the naira notes and she is non other than
For the very first time in the history of the entity called Nigeria, a woman’s signature will be appended on the naira notes and she is non other than Priscilla Ekwere Eleje. Every naira note in the country’s history besides the N20 note has had the face, name, and signature of a man, up until now.
Ladi Kwali, Nigeria’s foremost potter, is the only woman on the naira, taking a spot at the back of the N20 note.
Sarah Alade has been the closest woman to this feat, rising to become the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria after as she was appointed the head, fiscal analysis division of the CBN at the turn of the millenium. Alade in acting capacity became the very first female governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but retired on March 22, 2017. Aishah Ahmed was appointed to replace Alade in 2018.
So here are seven things you probably never knew about Priscilla Ekwere Eleje:
- She was confirmed the substantive director of currency and operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria on August 30, 2018.
- New currencies printed from then on will carry her signature.
- She is also the first female director of currency in the history of the bank.
- Her signature has been appended on the 1000 naira note, breaking another glass ceiling.
- She is a psychology graduate of the University of Jos, Nigeria.
- She is 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).
