For the first time since the inception of Nigeria’s statehood, the signature of a woman will appear on country’s naira notes.
This is because Mrs Priscilla Ekwere Eleje has been confirmed as a Substantive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Before now, she was an Acting Director of Currency and Operations at the CBN.
The appointment makes her the first female director of currency in the history of Nigeria’s apex bank.
She broke the glass ceiling
Becoming the first female Director of currency in the history of the CBN is a great feat for Mrs Eleje. Already, her signature has been appended on the naira. Interestingly, Eleje broke this record 61 years after the introduction of Nigerian currency.
Note that Ladi Kwali, Nigeria’s foremost potter, is the only woman whose picture appears on the naira; the N20 note to be specific.
Except for the N20 note, every other denomination of Nigeria’s naira has had the face, name, and signature of men; until now that is.
8 things you should know about Priscilla Ekwere Eleje
- Eleje has served the Acting Director of Currency and Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
- She was confirmed as a Substantive Director of the apex bank on Thursday, August 30, 2018.
- Eleje is the first Nigerian woman to have her signature on the Nigerian currency.
- New currencies printed from the day of her appointment confirmation will carry her signature.
- She is also the first female Director of Currency in the history of the bank.
- Eleje is a psychology graduate of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Nigeria.
- She is an alumnus of the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship programme.
- Eleje has completed her programme in Banking and Management at Boston University, Massachusetts, USA.
- More so, Eleje is a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA).