Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili-Crosby has earned global accolades for creating a portrait of former United States President Barack Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama.
The painting by Akunyili-Crosby, the daughter of Dora Akunyili, the celebrated ex-Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.
The artwork, which was commissioned by the former U.S. President through his Foundation, The Obama Presidential Centre, was unveiled on Tuesday, drawing admiration and accolades from the Obamas.
Titled ‘The Obamas: Springing Forth (2026)’, the artwork will be permanently installed in the museum’s Hope and Change Lobby, a public space that does not require a ticket.
The painting features the couple seated together in a modern, deeply personal portrait surrounded by meaningful references to the Obamas’ lives, including Barack Obama’s Harvard Law Review history and Michelle Obama’s love for Stevie Wonder.
It is filled with details tracing the Obamas’ personal and political journeys. Among them are Michelle Obama’s childhood home on Chicago’s South Side, the Martin Luther King Jr. bust that occupied the Oval Office during the Obama administration, Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book album, charms gifted to Barack Obama by constituents that he carried during his presidency, and a bookshelf lined with books, family mementos, photographs, and the couple’s four Grammy Awards.
The unveiling of the artwork drew praise from the Obamas, who described the portrait as a vibrant reflection of their lives, memories, and shared experiences.
“Barack and I were so honoured to have Njideka Akunyili-Crosby create our portrait for the Obama Presidential Center,” Michelle wrote. “Her artistic brilliance shines through — and the way she infused such life and joy into the piece is truly extraordinary. We love it, and we think everyone who visits the centre will too.”
Former President Obama, meanwhile, joked about one artistic decision.
“My only real question is, how come you didn’t dye my hair in the photo?” he asked. “Don’t they usually touch it up a little bit?”
“I thought about it,” Akunyili-Crosby replied, drawing laughter from the group.
Reflecting on the project, the artist admitted that the commission pushed her beyond familiar territory.
“It was good. It was challenging because it made me push myself. It took me out of my comfort zone,” she said.
Obama praised the final result, saying, “Well, it looks fantastic. In fact, I’m going to have a suit made with this pattern!”
Michelle also revealed that collaborating with Akunyili-Crosby had long been a personal wish.
“You know how long I’ve been wanting this woman to do something with and for me?” she said. “It was an honour,” the artist responded.
“I mean, we did it!” Michelle added.
Expectedly, the unveiling of the portrait drew accolades from Nigerians, including the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, who praised her for the feat.
“I am immensely proud to see the official tweet from former U.S. President @BarackObama, celebrating the incredible brilliance of our own Njideka,” Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, wrote on his X handle.
“This monumental achievement is a powerful reminder to Nigerian youths of what is possible when talent is met with hard work and discipline. Njideka, who is also the daughter of our late Dr Chike and Prof. Dora Akunyili, embodies the very best of the excellent Nigerian spirit.”
He urged young Nigerians to look up to Njideka as a role model.
“I urge our young people to look up to individuals like her as true role models. Success is not found in shortcuts but in the relentless pursuit of excellence, honouring one’s roots, and using your gifts to make a global impact,” he said. “If we remain committed to merit and hard work, the new Nigeria we desire will be built by such exemplary minds.”
Many of Akunyili Crosby’s paintings feature family members and friends in familiar domestic settings, engaged in everyday activities such as eating, drinking, or watching television. These scenes are often interwoven with vibrant photo-collage elements drawn from Nigerian pop culture and politics.
Born in Enugu State in 1983, Akunyili-Crosby lived in Nigeria until she was 16, when she moved to the United States in 1999. The 43-year-old lives and works in Los Angeles, where she has built a reputation for creating richly layered paintings that explore identity and memory.
Her work reflects what she describes as a ‘hybrid identity’, one shaped by strong connections to both Nigeria and her adopted home, the United States.
Akunyili-Crosby is the daughter of the celebrated Nigerian pharmacist and public servant who served as NAFDAC DG from 2001 to 2008. Dora Akunyili earned national recognition for her campaign against counterfeit drugs and unsafe products in Nigeria.
Over the years, Njideka Akunyili-Crosby has emerged as a great artist of her generation. Her accolades include the Prix Canson Prize in 2016, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s James Dicke Contemporary Art Prize in 2014, the New Museum’s Next Generation Prize in 2015, and recognition among Foreign Policy magazine’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers in 2015.
She has also received honorary doctorates from Otis College of Art in 2024 and Swarthmore College in 2019.
The new portrait joins a major art programme at the Obama Presidential Centre, which features commissions by more than 30 artists, including Julie Mehretu, Rashid Johnson, Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson, Jeffrey Gibson, Maya Lin, Martin Puryear, and Theaster Gates.