Re-designed Naira Notes!!

On the 28th of February 2007, the President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasonjo launched the redesigned Naira Notes and new coins.

The notes are the 5 Naira, 10 Naira, 20 Naira and 50 Naira denominations. This is the first phase of the launch, as the second phase would involve the higher denominations (100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Naira Notes).

One of the first things you would notice is the Map of Nigeria in the colours of the Nigerian flag on the notes, and most noticeably, the removal of the Arabic inscription on the notes.

In place of the Arabic inscriptions, we now have the three major Nigerian languages. On the fifty Naira note shown you have Hausa (Naira Hamsin), Yoruba (Àádợta Náírà) and Ibo (Naịra Iri ise).

Even though I do not see the value in this (we have well over a hundred languages in Nigeria), it can be said we have taken away the religious undertone and brought in the tribal/political one.

The president also said he hopes the law would in future allow the use of more languages. I wonder if our notes are supposed to be literature or language textbooks. Imagine if you had to print 10 or more languages on every note. I want to believe that was just a political statement as is everything else our government tells us.

I must commend the CBN Govenor, Mr. Charles Soludo for reducing the cost of printing the notes by 50% and also ensuring that 50% of the notes were printed in Nigeria.


To learn about the history of money visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money

Related: Nigeria Notes and The Arabic Inscription!

Nigeria's Notes and The Arabic Inscriptions!

I had always wonderd why the Curency notes used in Nigeria carry Arabic inscriptions. For a very long time this question has been on my mind. I did ask around and never found anyone who had an answer. Well the Inscriptions are said to diaplay the value of the currency in Arabic.

The only time Arabic is used in Nigeria is with the Islamic religion. Islam as we know uses Arabic as it's language, just as the early Church used Latin.

I finaly got an answer from the Central Bank of Nigeria on why this was done.

''Originally when the Arabic inscriptions were used is was meant for the Commercial Market in the North where those who could read could only read in Arabic. But on the newly redesigned notes that will be released on the 28th of February, 2007 the Arabic inscriptions won't be there , in its place will be the three major Nigerian Languages."

While this sounds like a reasonable answer, it still doesn't explain why it took so long for anyone to realise that we don't speak Arabic in Nigeria. I also don't understand why we should have the three major Nigerian langusges on the notes. I'm sure we'll use the notes the way they are. From my own perspective, it would be okay to remove the Arabic inscription and leave it at that.

Well at least I finallay have an answer as well as so many Nigerians. My next question will be to the Nigerian Army and why the only inscription on it's Coat of Arms is also in Arabic!