History took root in the soil of Ozizza, Ehugbo (Afikpo), Ebonyi State—and blossomed into national significance through Mrs. Priscilla Ekwere Eleje. A proud daughter of the East, she made history as the first woman to have her signature on Nigerian currency.
In 2019, Mrs. Eleje was appointed Director of Currency Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), becoming the first woman to hold the position. With that appointment, her signature appeared on the 2019 series of naira notes—₦1000, ₦500, ₦200, ₦100, ₦50, ₦20, ₦10, and ₦5—notes that circulate daily through markets, banks, homes, and institutions across Nigeria.
Her signature is more than ink on paper. It is a quiet but powerful symbol of competence, resilience, and the growing visibility of women in leadership. In a country where women often have to break stones before they break ceilings, Mrs. Eleje’s journey stands as proof that excellence still finds its way to the top.
From Ozizza to the apex bank of the nation, she carried with her the identity of her people—the rich heritage of Ehugbo, the strength of Afikpo women, and the resilient spirit of Ebonyi State. Her story sends a clear message to the girl child in Ebonyi, in Nigeria, and across Africa: your roots do not limit your rise.
As the Igbo proverb says, “Agwọ n’egbu mmiri, e jiri ya bọ ọjị”—the snake that swam across the river deserves honour, even if it is still a snake. Mrs. Priscilla Eleje has crossed her river, and she deserves to be celebrated.
Ebonyi nwere mmadu. Afikpo has spoken through excellence.
Let every child in Ebonyi grow up knowing her name. Let her story live in our classrooms, our conversations, and our collective memory. Because when history is remembered, it becomes legacy.
Congratulations, Madam Priscilla Ekwere Eleje.You did not just sign a currency note—you signed your name into the history of our time.
