Égò - (Money)

Emblazoned with mottos, emblems, and historical imagery, money is one of the most tangible symbols of a nation’s identity. The idea of putting faces on currency has been done by Many countries as a way to honor their earliest leaders, prominent figures and some founding fathers.

As a tangible symbol of a nation’s identity, banknotes are a window into history. The Nigerian Currency - the Naira- , falls under the above premise. All the faces on the front of the bank notes are of past leaders and heads of state; who have all been men. With more calls for women empowerment especially in the highest office, one can only wonder what the bank notes will look like if that ever came to fruition.

The work Égò which translates to mean Money (in the Igbo language ) is a collaborative photo project with Collage Artist Safara Wanjagi in reimagining of the Nigerian Currency - the Naira by including female faces to depict the men currently occupying the bank notes. The work is a call for women empowerment , equality - bridging the pay gap - , more female acknowledgement and representation in Nigerias national identity.