Dajo Pottery and Its Visionary Founder

Dajo Pottery Ltd, based in Makurdi, Nigeria, stands as a beacon of innovation, tradition, and excellence in the field of ceramics and pottery across Africa and the world. Founded and led by Master Potter Levi O’Bem Yakubu – MON, NPOM, FSNA, FSNA, Dajo Pottery is a trailblazing international multi award-winning ceramic industry renowned for its fusion of indigenous craftsmanship with cutting-edge ceramic technology. In the United States, the company operates under the name Dajo-4G Pottery, a nod to its four-generation heritage and global reach.

Master Potter Yakubu, often celebrated as Africa’s most decorated ceramics artist, was born in 1954 in Zaki-Biam, Benue State, Nigeria, into the renowned Amachigh-Dajo family of Tiv potters. Breaking a centuries-old tradition that saw pottery as a craft reserved for Tiv women, he boldly became the first male potter in four generations, committing his life to a practice rooted in culture yet open to innovation.

He graduated in 1979 with a degree in Industrial Design (specializing in Ceramics) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later undertook graduate studies at the International Ceramic Research and Development Centre in Bandung, Indonesia. He also did his internship under legendary Ladi Kwali of the famous Abuja Pottery (now Ladi Kwali Pottery Center). He is a second generation Nigerian contemporary ceramist after Ladi Kwali.

He taught and helped establish ceramics departments at Benue Polytechnic and the School of Basic Studies in Makurdi, before resigning from his academic post in 1985 to pursue his dream: building a ceramic industry in Nigeria.

Dajo Pottery Ltd emerged in direct response to the 1984 Nigerian government’s ban on the importation of tableware ceramics, stepping into a gap that few dared to fill. Despite a failing economy and minimal industrial support, Mr. Yakubu’s determination paid off.

Over the past four decades, he nurtured Dajo Pottery into a world-class facility and made history by introducing digital ceramic technology in Africa—embedding digital images onto ceramic tiles to create large-scale murals.

Master Potter Yakubu’s creative genius is perhaps best exemplified by his iconic “Lizard Pots”, now widely regarded as the flagship of his artistic legacy. His work—recognized for its technical precision and cultural richness—has been exhibited across continents and featured in some of the world’s most prestigious ceramics expositions.

His accolades are extensive and unmatched in the field. He is a three-time recipient (2007–2009) of the International Ceramic Excellence Award in Jingdezhen, China—the global capital of porcelain. In 2011, he won the China International Kaolin Grand Prix for Ceramic Art (in Excellent Works Category), becoming the first African and Black artist to do so. The following year, he again made history by winning Best Exhibit Award at the 2012 Jingdezhen International Ceramics Fair.

Nationally, he holds the prestigious honors of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), National Local Raw Materials Award (NLRMA), was conferred with the distinguished Fellow Society of Nigerian Artists (FSNA 2010), along with several first-place prizes in design and exhibition from African and international expos. 

This Fellow, Society of Nigerian Artists has served as a consultant to UN agencies including UNIDO and UNDP, and as visiting lecturer at institutions such as Calvin College (Michigan), Trinity College (Illinois), Dordt University (Iowa), and Abraham Lincoln and Denver Christian High Schools in Colorado, among others.

Master Potter Yakubu is also a pioneer in ceramic education and capacity-building, having launched the first private Clay Academy in Nigeria, and transforming Dajo Pottery into Benue State’s first private tourist destination. His work continues to inspire generations of artists, students, and entrepreneurs.

From humble beginnings to international acclaim, Levi O’Bem Yakubu’s life story and Dajo Pottery’s evolution are testimonies to visionary leadership, cultural pride, and artistic excellence. Through Dajo-4G-Pottery in the United States, his legacy continues to reach new heights, connecting traditional African pottery with global art, design, and technology communities.

He is married to Prof. (Mrs.) Angel N. Yakubu, a lecturer at Benue State University, and together they have raised seven children and enjoy the company of nine grandchildren.