Njideka Akunyili Crosby, the Nigerian-born daughter of the late NAFDAC director-general Dora Akunyili, has made history by painting the first official joint portrait of former United States President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The historic artwork, titled The Obamas: Springing Forth, 2026, was unveiled at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago ahead of its public opening on Juneteenth.
The Njideka Akunyili Crosby Obama portrait marks a significant milestone in presidential portraiture. While Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald painted the individual Smithsonian portraits in 2018, this is the first commissioned painting to depict the couple together. The mixed-media piece, measuring over nine feet tall, blends acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, and photographic transfers, showcasing the artist’s signature technique that merges painting with collage.
The Enugu-born artist, who moved to the United States as a teenager, has built an extraordinary career that now includes one of America’s most prominent cultural commissions. A MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, Akunyili Crosby is renowned for richly layered works that explore identity, migration, and the experience of living between two cultures. Her portraits often incorporate Nigerian magazine imagery and personal ephemera to create intricate visual narratives.
This commission carries deep significance, echoing her mother’s legacy of courageous public service. Dora Akunyili was celebrated for her fearless fight against counterfeit drugs during her tenure as NAFDAC boss.
Akunyili Crosby spent months immersing herself in the Obamas’ story before picking up her brush. “We read all your books, listened to all the interviews you’ve done, and watched all the podcasts and videos. My whole studio got to know you,” she told the couple. The portrait is filled with personal references, Michelle’s childhood home on Euclid Avenue, a Stevie Wonder album they danced to at their wedding, a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. from the Oval Office, and the Obamas’ four Grammys.
When the Obamas viewed the finished work, Michelle Obama’s reaction was immediate. “Oh! My God, you got everything in there,” she exclaimed . Barack Obama, in his characteristic style, joked: “My only real question is, how come you didn’t dye my hair in the photo?”
“This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story,” Obama said, thanking the artist for her work. Michelle added: “Her artistic brilliance shines through, and the way she infused such life and joy into the piece is truly extraordinary”.
The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public this Juneteenth, with Akunyili Crosby’s portrait serving as a centerpiece in the Hope and Change lobby . For the artist, the commission represents more than professional achievement, it places a proudly Nigerian voice at the heart of American history. For Nigerian excellence on the global stage, this is a moment to celebrate.
