Born in the village of Kwali in the Gwari region of Nigeria, Ladi Kwali learned the art of pottery from her aunt using traditional coil methods. Her work caught the attention of Michael Cardew, the first pottery officer in the Nigerian government, who invited her to join the Abuja Pottery Training Centre in 1954. This collaboration allowed her to integrate traditional Gbagyi techniques with the potter's wheel and glazed stoneware, marking a significant evolution in her practice.

Kwali’s signature works are characterized by intricate incised geometric patterns and stylized animal motifs, often applied to large-scale vessels. Her ceramics are noted for their technical precision and the preservation of indigenous aesthetic traditions within a modern studio context. She became a prominent figure in the international ceramics community, demonstrating her techniques across Europe and the Americas.

Her legacy continues to be a focal point in the study of Nigerian modernism. Recent institutional recognition includes her inclusion in major surveys of 20th-century Nigerian art, such as the 2025 exhibition at the Tate Modern, which highlights her pivotal role in the development of the country's artistic landscape from the mid-20th century onwards.