Nigerian naira
The naira sign
ISO 4217
CodeNGN (numeric: 566)
Subunit0.01
Unit
Pluralnaira
Symbol₦‎
Denominations
Subunit
 1⁄100kobo
Plural
 kobokobo
Banknotes₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500, ₦1000
Coins50 kobo, ₦1, ₦2
Demographics
User(s) Nigeria
Issuance
Central bankCentral Bank of Nigeria
 Websitewww.cenbank.org
PrinterNigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited
 Websitewww.mintnigeria.com
MintNigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited
 Websitewww.mintnigeria.com
Valuation
Inflation22.41%[1]
 SourceMay 2023

The naira (sign: ₦; code: NGN; Yoruba: náírà, Hausa: naira or نَيْرَ, Igbo: naịra, Tyap: nera) is the currency of Nigeria. One naira is divided into 100 kobo.[2]

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the sole issuer of legal tender money throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.[3][4] It controls the volume of money supplied in the economy in order to ensure monetary and price stability. The Currency Operations Department of the CBN is in charge of currency management, through the designs, procurement, distribution and supply, processing, reissue and disposal or disintegration of bank notes and coins.[5]

A major cash crunch occurred in February 2023 when the Nigerian government used a currency note changeover—delivering too few of the new notes into circulation—to attempt to force citizens to use a newly-created government-sponsored central bank digital currency. This led to extensive street protests.[6][7][8]

History

The history of the currency according to the government.[9]

The naira was introduced on 1 January 1973,[9] replacing the Nigerian pound at a rate of £1 = ₦2.[10] The coins of the new currency were the first coins issued by an independent Nigeria, as all circulating coins of the Nigerian pound were all struck by the colonial government of the Federation of Nigeria in 1959, with the name of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.[11] This also made Nigeria the last country in the world to abandon the £sd currency system in favour of a decimal currency system. There was a government plan to redenominate the naira at 100:1 in 2008, but the plan was suspended. The currency sign is U+20A6 ₦ NAIRA SIGN.

The name "Naira" was coined from the word "Nigeria" by Obafemi Awolowo.[12][13] However, Naira as a currency was launched by Shehu Shagari as minister of finance in 1973.

The Central Bank of Nigeria claimed that they attempted to control the annual inflation rate below 10%. In 2011, the CBN increased key interest rate six times, rising from 6.25% to 12%. On 31 January 2012, the CBN decided to maintain the key interest rate at 12%, in order to reduce the impact of inflation due to a reduction in fuel subsidies.[14]

From 20 June 2016, the naira was allowed to float, after being pegged at ₦197 to US$1 for several months.[15] Trade speculated the natural range of the naira would be between ₦280 and ₦350 to the dollar.[16]

In October 2021, the eNaira, the digital version of the state currency, was officially launched in Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari.[17]

The 2023 Nigerian currency crisis was precipitated in February 2023 by a shortage of naira cash currency and an attempt by the Nigerian government to force citizens to use a newly-created government-sponsored central bank digital currency. This led to extensive street protests in mid-February 2023.[6][7][8]

On 14 June 2023, the Naira fell 23% in a day, to a rate of ₦600 to US$1, as the central bank abandoned its currency peg and allowed the naira to trade freely.[18] On 19 July 2023, the Naira fell to a new record low of ₦853 to US$1.[19]

Coins

Nigerian central bank info as of 2022 is in this source:[20]

In 1973, coins were introduced in denominations of 1⁄2, 1, 5, 10 and 25 kobo, with the 1⁄2 and 1 kobo in bronze and the higher denominations in cupro-nickel. The 1⁄2 kobo coins were minted only that year. In 1991, smaller 1, 10 and 25 kobo coins were issued in copper-plated-steel, along with nickel-plated-steel 50 kobo and ₦1. On 28 February 2007, new coins were issued in denominations of 50 kobo, ₦1 and ₦2, with the ₦1 and ₦2 bimetallic. Some Nigerians expressed concerns over the usability of the ₦2 coin.[21] The deadline for exchanging the old currency was set at 31 May 2007.[22] The central bank stated that the 1⁄2 to 25 kobo coins were withdrawn from circulation with effect from 28 February 2007.[23]

Banknotes

Old Nigerian currency

On 1 January 1973, the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced notes for 50 kobo, ₦1, ₦5, ₦10 and ₦20: in April 1984, the colors of all naira banknotes were changed in an attempt to control money laundering.[12] In 1991, ₦50 notes were issued, while the 50 kobo and ₦1 notes were replaced by coins in 1991. This was followed by ₦100 in 1999, ₦200 in 2000, ₦500 in 2001 and ₦1,000 on October 12, 2005.[31]

On 28 February 2007, new versions of the ₦5 to ₦50 banknotes were introduced. Originally the ₦10, ₦20 and ₦50 were to be polymer banknotes,[32] but the ₦5, ₦10 and ₦50 were delayed to late 2009 and only the ₦20 was released in polymer. The notes are slightly smaller (130 × 72 mm) and redesigned from the preceding issues. In mid-2009 when Sanusi Lamido Sanusi took over as CBN Governor,[33] The Central Bank of Nigeria changed the ₦5, ₦10 and ₦50 to polymer notes.

On the ₦1,000 notes, there is a subtle shiny strip running down the back of the note to prevent counterfeiting. The strip is a shimmery gold color showing ₦1,000, and has a triangular shape in the middle of the front of the note which changes its color from green to blue when tilted. The main feature on the front is the engraved portraits of Alhaji Aliyu Mai-Bornu and Dr. Clement Isong, both of which are former governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria.[34]

On the first prints of the ₦100 notes issued starting December 1, 1999, Zuma Rock was captioned as located in Federal Capital Territory, while actually it is situated in Niger State. Later prints removed the reference to FCT, ABUJA.[35]

In 2012 the Central Bank of Nigeria was contemplating the introduction of new currency denominations of ₦5,000. The bank also made plans to convert ₦5, ₦10, ₦20 and ₦50 into coins which are all presently notes.[36]

The Central Bank of Nigeria announced that it would no longer issue banknotes on polymer citing higher costs and environmental issues.[37][38][39]

On 12 November 2014, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a ₦100 commemorative note to celebrate the centennial of Nigeria's existence. The notes are similar to its regular issue with the portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo on the front, but are redesigned to include a new color scheme, revised security features, and the text "One Nigeria, Great Promise" in microprinting. On the back is a QR code (Quick Response code) which when scanned leads users to a website about Nigeria's history.[40][41]

In 2019, the naira attained a landmark when it featured the signature of Priscilla Ekwere Eleje, the new Director of Currency operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the first woman to hold the post.[42]

Currently circulating banknotes[43]
1999–2005 series
ImageValueDimensionsMain colourDescriptionDate of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseWatermarkFirst printingIssue
₦100 151 × 78 mm Purple and multicolour Chief Obafemi Awolowo Zuma Rock As portrait(s), "CBN", value 1999 1 December 1999
₦200 Cyan and multicolour Sir Ahmadu Bello Pyramid of agricultural commodity and livestock farming 2000 1 November 2000
Archived 2016-10-18 at the Wayback Machine ₦500 Blue and multicolour Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Off-shore oil rig 2001 4 April 2001
Archived 2016-10-18 at the Wayback Machine ₦1000 Brown Alhaji Aliyu Mai-Bornu, Dr. Clement Isong CBN's corporate headquarters in Abuja 2005 12 October 2005
2006 series (paper and polymer banknotes)
₦5 130 × 72 mm Brown Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Nkpokiti dancers Central Bank of Nigeria logo, "CBN" 2006 28 February 2007
₦10 Red Alvan Ikoku Fulani milk maids
₦20 Green General Murtala Mohammed Ladi Kwali
₦50 Blue Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba men and a woman Local fishermen
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

Second naira

The naira was scheduled for redenomination in August 2008, although this was cancelled by then-President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua,[44] with 100 old naira to become 1 new naira. The Nigerian Central Bank stated that it would make the naira fully convertible against foreign currencies by 2009. Currently, the amount of foreign currency is regulated through weekly auctions, while the Central Bank sets the exchange rate. The naira appreciated against the dollar through 2007 due to high oil revenues. Also, the then-Bank Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo noted the weekly central bank auctions of foreign currency will gradually be phased out, and that the bank would "only intervene in the market as may be required to achieve defined policy objectives".[45]

Coins and banknotes, and their security features, are described on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria.[46]

Coins

Coins were to be issued in denominations of: - 1 kobo (₦0.01) - 2 kobo (₦0.02) - 5 kobo (₦0.05) - 10 kobo (₦0.10) - 20 kobo (₦0.20) - 50 Kobo (₦0.50) - 1 Naira (₦1) Due to inflation, Nigerian coins are all essentially worthless now.[47]

Banknotes

Banknotes were to be printed in denominations of:

2022 redesign

In 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under President Muhammadu Buhari led administration expressed the decision to redesign the naira as a statutory responsibility and a way to curb the increased circulation of counterfeit notes in the country.[56] The CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele expressed that the approval for the redesign was granted by the president of the country in fighting corruption, terrorism, kidnapping and other unlawful practices. He said the higher naira denominations have been the denomination mostly used by the perpetrators of the acts which includes ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 notes.[57][58] President Muhammadu Buhari officially unveiled the new notes at the state house after 19 years since the naira was redesigned.[59] The newly redesigned naira notes were planned to be printed by The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited which will make the country one out of the four Africa countries who print their currencies locally and not import from foreign countries.[60][61]

In November 2022, CBN, Nigeria's apex bank, informed the citizens that the new notes will be issued from 15 December 2022 onward, and that old naira notes need to be returned to the banking system before 31 January 2023 when they will cease to be legal tender.[62][63] The deadline to exchange banknotes was extended to February 2023.[64]

The redesign is controversial. There have been shortages of the new bank notes at ATMs, necessitating some Nigerians to wait in long lines or sleep on the sidewalk waiting for ATMs to be reloaded.[64]

Currently circulating banknotes[65]
2022 Redesign
ImageValueDimensionsMain colourDescriptionDate of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseWatermarkFirst printingIssue
₦200 151 × 78 mm Pink Sir Ahmadu Bello Pyramid of agricultural commodity and livestock farming As portrait(s), "CBN", value 2022 2022
₦500 Green Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Off-shore oil rig 2022 2022
₦1000 Blue Alhaji Aliyu Mai-Bornu, Dr. Clement Isong CBN's corporate headquarters in Abuja 2022 2022

Hidden naira notes

In 2022, Nigeria's central bank expressed the scarcity of the currency due to high volume of the naira kept outside the banking system and attributed to be hoarded by politicians.[66]

Exchange rates

The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Nigeria: naira to U.S. dollar is approximately ₦767.54 per 1 US dollar. This rate is almost two times different from the illegal black market exchange rate. The Black Market exchange rate of the naira to the U.S. dollar is approximately ₦752.50 per 1 US dollar.[67]

Rate of the Nigerian naira for US$1 (1994–2005)

This table shows the historical value of one U.S. dollar in Nigerian naira. PM = parallel market.

Date₦ per US$ Date₦ per US$ Date₦ per US$
19720.658 199317.30 (21.90 PM) 2014170–199
19730.658 199422.33 (56.80 PM) 2015199–300
19740.63 199521.89 (71.70 PM) 2016390–489
19750.616 199621.89 (84.58 PM) 2017333
19760.62 199721.89 (84.58 PM) 2018360
19770.647 199821.89 (84.70 PM) 2019305
19780.606 199921.89 (88–90 PM) 2020361
19790.596 200085.98 (105.00 PM) 2021399
19800.550 (0.900 PM) 200199–106 (104–122 PM) 2022 423
19810.61 2002109–113 (122–140 PM)
19820.673 2003114–127 (135–137 PM)
19830.724 2004127–130 (137–144 PM)
19840.765 2005132–136
19850.894 (1.70 PM) 2006128.50–131.80
19862.02 (3.90 PM) 2007120–125
19874.02 (5.90 PM) 2008115.50–120
19884.54 (6.70 PM) 2009145–171
19897.39 (10.70 PM) 2010148.21–154.8
19907.39 (10.70 PM) 2011151.05–165.1
19918.04 (9.30 PM) 2012155.09–161.5
19929.91 2013153.21–162.9
Current NGN exchange rates
From Google Finance: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD EUR JPY USD
From Yahoo! Finance: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD EUR JPY USD
From XE.com: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD EUR JPY USD
From OANDA: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD EUR JPY USD

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Inflation Rates (Percent)". Central Bank of Nigeria. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Aanu, Damilare (2018-06-19). "History Of Nigerian Naira, Symbol And Sign You Need To Know About". WITHIN NIGERIA. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  3. ↑ "Legal Tender". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  4. ↑ "Legal Tender". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  5. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | On the Category, Currency Management". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  6. 1 2 "Currency crisis in Nigeria: citizens take to the streets in protest over cash shortage". 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  7. 1 2 "Nigerian Currency Crisis: CBN Old Naira Notes Guidelines, President Buhari's Deadline Extension and All You Need to know". Archived from the original on 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  8. 1 2 "Naira redesign: Buhari's solution to currency crisis insufficient – Expert warns". 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-02-16. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  9. 1 2 "Central Bank of Nigeria:: History of The Currency". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  10. 1 2 "Central Bank of Nigeria | Home". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  11. ↑ David (2022-09-10). "Queen Elizabeth is featured on several currencies. Now what?". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  12. 1 2 "10 interesting facts you should know about Nigerian currency". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  13. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria:: History of The Currency". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  14. ↑ "Nigeria leaves key rate at 12 pct as expected", Reuters, 31 January 2012
  15. ↑ "Nigeria allows naira to float against US dollar". BBC News. 2016-06-15. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  16. ↑ "Nigeria Floats its Currency". The Economist. 18 June 2016.
  17. ↑ Erezi, Dennis (2021-10-25). "Nigeria launches eNaira digital currency". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  18. ↑ "End to Nigeria currency peg causes biggest fall in naira's history". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  19. ↑ "Nigeria's naira hits record low on black market ahead of central bank meeting". Reuters. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  20. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria:: History of The Currency". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  21. ↑ "Nigeria: Nigeria's New Notes And Coins". This Day. 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
  22. ↑ "Nigeria: New Currency - Two Per Cent of Withdrawals to Be in Coins - CBN". Vanguard. 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
  23. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria:: Currency Gallery". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  24. ↑ Central Bank of Nigeria. "Old Coins - 1973 Coins". Archived from the original on 2006-01-17. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
  25. ↑ "5 Kobo, Nigeria". en.numista.com. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  26. ↑ "Welcome to the New Central Bank of Nigeria Website". cenbank.org.
  27. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria Website - Currency - 25 Kobo". cenbank.org.
  28. ↑ "Welcome to the New Central Bank of Nigeria Website". cenbank.org.
  29. ↑ "Welcome to the New Central Bank of Nigeria Website". cenbank.org.
  30. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria - Did You Find". cenbank.org.
  31. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria:: History of The Currency". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  32. ↑ "CBN warns against fixing prices in foreign currency *To launch new notes Feb 2007". Vanguard Nigeria. 2006-11-06. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
  33. ↑ Udo, Bassey (2013-10-13). "Lamido Sanusi emerges best Central Bank gov again". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  34. ↑ "1000 Nigerian Naira banknote (M Bornu & Isong) - Exchange yours today". Leftover Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  35. ↑ "Big banknote too much for Nigeria". 29 December 1999 – via bbc.co.uk.
  36. ↑ CBN To Introduce N5000, N2000 Notes; N50, N20, N10 Coins Archived May 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ↑ Nigeria to abandon polymer banknotes Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine BanknoteNews.com. September 13, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-11-09.
  38. ↑ CBN Clarifies Decision to Abandon Polymer Banknotes AllAfrica (allafrica.com) September 12, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-11-09.
  39. ↑ Plan to Phase-out Polymer Banknotes Stirs New Controversy Archived April 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine This Day Live (www.thisdaylive.com). April 24, 2013. Retrieved on 2013-04-25.
  40. ↑ "New ₦100 Commemorative Centenary Celebration". Archived from the original on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
  41. ↑ Nigeria new 100-naira commemorative confirmed Archived October 14, 2016, at the Wayback Machine BanknoteNews.com February 9, 2015. Retrieved on 2015-02-13.
  42. ↑ "10 Quick Facts About Priscilla Ekwere Eleje". 16 April 2019.
  43. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria | Home".
  44. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria | Home" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  45. ↑ "Nigeria set to free its currency". 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  46. ↑ "Features of Nigerian Currency Coins". Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  47. ↑ "The Inevitable Choice Between N10,000 Note and Redenomination".
  48. ↑ "5 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  49. ↑ "10 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  50. ↑ "20 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  51. ↑ "50 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  52. ↑ "100 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  53. ↑ "200 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  54. ↑ "500 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  55. ↑ "1000 Nigerian Naira Banknote". Foreign Currency. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  56. ↑ Okon, Desmond (2022-10-26). "CBN Redesigns Naira Notes". The Cable Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  57. ↑ "CBN Plan Naira Redesign". Punch.com. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  58. ↑ "CBN to Launch New Naira Notes in December". Premium Times. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  59. ↑ Ume-Ezeoke, Gloria (2022-11-23). "Buhari Unveils Redesigned Naira Notes". channelstv.com. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  60. ↑ Anichukwueze, Donatus (2022-11-23). "Nigeria is One of Four African Countries Printing Currency".
  61. ↑ Ailemen, Anthony (2022-11-23). "Quick Facts to Know About the New Naira Notes". Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  62. ↑ "Buhari unveils redesigned naira notes". TheCable. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  63. ↑ Itsibor, Mark (2022-11-11). "Gains Of Redesigning Naira Notes". Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  64. 1 2 "Nigeria's naira shortage: Anger and chaos outside banks". BBC News. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  65. ↑ "Central Bank of Nigeria | Home".
  66. ↑ Oomodele Adigun, ed. (28 November 2022). "Heaps of Rotten Naira Found". Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  67. ↑ "US Dollar to Naira - Exchange Rate Today". www.curvert.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.

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