Fakoyejo Olalekan
Amid circulation of fake N1,000 notes, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released security features of the new naira notes that will help Nigerians isolate fake notes from the newly redesigned currency.
A trending video had shown replication of the redesigned naira notes few weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled it and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) started disbursing it through banks.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a document released by the central bank to aid in identifying the new naira notes, it was learnt that the redesigned currencies have 48 combined features.
The central bank revealed that the N200 note has 10 features, the N500 note has 15 features, and the N1,000 note has 23 features, indicating the higher the denomination, the more the features.
How to identify genuine naira notes
It was learnt that touch and visibility are ways to spot the fake from the genuine. According to the central bank, raised print, security thread and the watermark are the most prominent.
Breaking down the role they play, the security thread appears broken on the note, and when raised to the light, it displays “CBN” on either side of the notes in small lettering.
Also, the new naira has a serial number written in black, but when raised to ultraviolet light, it appears in green. This makes it impossible for counterfeiters to photocopy the redesigned naira notes.
Another method Nigerians can also feel the difference is the raised print which is felt through the sense of touch.
Nigerians can also pay attention to the denominational numerals on both sides of the banknote, the portrait, and the lettering.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria has stated that the old naira notes will become illegal starting from January 31, 2023, however, banks do not have sufficient new notes to disburse to Nigerians.
