Nigerian-born, internationally acclaimed artist Njideka Akunyili-Crosby has achieved another major milestone on the global art stage after being commissioned to create the first official joint portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama for the newly opened Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
The monumental artwork, titled “The Obamas: Springing Forth, 2026,” was unveiled ahead of the opening of the Obama Presidential Center and is now prominently displayed in the facility’s Hope and Change Lobby, a public space designed to welcome visitors from around the world.
The portrait marks a historic first, becoming the first commissioned official portrait depicting Barack and Michelle Obama together. Measuring more than nine feet high and ten feet wide, the mixed-media work combines painting, archival photographs, family imagery and historical references to tell the story of the former First Couple’s personal journey, family life and years in public service.
Akunyili-Crosby, who was born in Nigeria and is renowned for her layered visual storytelling, spent months researching the Obamas’ lives, studying interviews, books, family photographs and historical archives before creating the artwork. The resulting portrait incorporates hundreds of visual elements, including references to Michelle Obama’s childhood home, significant moments from the couple’s lives, and symbols associated with their presidency.
Speaking during the unveiling, the Obamas expressed admiration for the work. Michelle Obama described the painting as a reflection of “all of the stories within the story,” while Barack Obama praised the artist’s ability to capture their shared journey with remarkable depth and detail.
The commission represents another landmark achievement for Akunyili-Crosby, whose work has earned international recognition for blending African and Western influences while exploring themes of identity, memory, migration, and cultural heritage. The Enugu-born artist is the daughter of the late Dora Akunyili, the former Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), whose contributions to public health and governance made her one of Nigeria’s most respected national figures.
Art critics have described the portrait as one of the centrepieces of the Obama Presidential Center’s extensive public art programme, which features works from leading contemporary artists whose creations reflect themes of civic engagement, leadership, culture and social progress.
For Nigeria, the commission further highlights the growing influence of Nigerian creatives on the global stage. Akunyili-Crosby’s selection for such a prestigious assignment underscores the international recognition of Nigerian talent and the increasing role of African artists in shaping major cultural institutions around the world. The Obama Presidential Center officially opens to the public this month, with Akunyili-Crosby’s portrait expected to become one of its most visited and celebrated attractions.
