In today’s History class; also celebrating the Black History month, we will be learning about Nigeria’s foremost Potter, whose works in pottery gave an international recognition. Not only that, she also received a British Merit Award and an honorary doctorate. She is no other person than Ladi Kwali, from Abuja Kwali Area Council. The only woman, apart from the Fulani milk maids that her picture is on the Naira note, the twenty Naira to be precise. She was a renowned Nigerian Potter.

Hadiza Ladi Kwali was born in 1925, in Gwari, in Kwali Area Council in Abuja. She could neither read nor write, but in 1977 she was awarded a doctorate degree from the prestigious Nigerian university, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Ladi Kwali’s numerous works of pottery were acquired by some famous traditional rulers and many others. She made ornamental pots that were used by some wealthy and famous Nigerians.

To enhance her skills in pottery, she attended Michael Cardew’s Pottery Training Centre Abuja. She also taught Cardew her traditional way of pottery. Ladi Kwali was a part time lecturer and she also demonstrated her works in pottery.
She was given a Silver Award for Excellence in Washington DC, America. She died in Minna, Niger State on the 12th August, 1984.

To honour her legacy, The Abuja Pottery was renamed Ladi Kwali Pottery. Some major streets in Abuja were also named after her.
Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Abuja has a hall named in her honour. Ladi Kwali learnt pottery from an aunt as an apprentice, before establishing hers. Ladi Kwali was and will remain Nigeria’s best potter.