New naira notes design
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced new naira notes designs for the N200, N500, and N1,000 denominations. Here are the designs:
N200 Note:
- Obverse (front): The portrait of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a Nigerian statesman and philosopher, is featured on the obverse side.
- Reverse (back): The reverse side features a collage of Nigerian cultural heritage, including traditional clothing, masks, and other cultural symbols.
N500 Note:
- Obverse (front): The portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian statesman and politician, is featured on the obverse side.
- Reverse (back): The reverse side features a collage of Nigerian agricultural and industrial development, including images of crops, livestock, and industrial equipment.
N1,000 Note:
- Obverse (front): The portrait of Alhaji Maimuna Shagari, the wife of former President Shehu Shagari, is featured on the obverse side.
- Reverse (back): The reverse side features a collage of Nigerian natural resources, including images of oil, gas, and other natural resources.
The new designs aim to promote Nigerian culture, heritage, and development, and to make the currency more secure and difficult to counterfeit. The CBN has also introduced new security features, including:
- Watermark: A transparent image of the portrait of the featured person is embedded in the paper.
- Security thread: A thin strip of paper with a unique pattern is embedded in the note.
- Raised printing: Certain elements on the note, such as the portrait and the Nigerian coat of arms, are raised to provide a tactile sensation.
- Color-shifting ink: The Nigerian coat of arms and other elements on the note change color when viewed from different angles.
- Microprinting: Tiny text is printed on the note, which is difficult to read with the naked eye.
The new naira notes are expected to be phased in gradually, with the old notes being withdrawn from circulation over time.