By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The much anticipated new N200, N500 and N1000 notes have been unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.
The new notes parade a number of features that observers say aren’t radically different from the old ones in circulation
Except for change in colours, the N200, N500 and N1000 notes took similar looks as those already in circulation
President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the three new currency notes today in Abuja before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council.
There are indications that the new Naira notes may become legal tender effective immediately going by a comment from the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele said: “We are no longer waiting for December 15 to unveil the new note, the president has agreed to unveil the new currency on November 23, 2022.”
Even though the new notes do not differ significantly from the ones in circulation, there are, however, some remarkable differences between the new and old naira notes.
The N200 came very close to the N100 note except for a slightly toned-down magenta colour, bringing it closer to the N100 note.
The N500 note took on the look of lemon colour, bringing to close resemblance to the former N200 note.
The N1000 note came to resemblance with the N50 naira note which many believe there is no serious contrast between the new and old notes.
The new notes also retained the Arabic inscriptions as against speculations that they would be yanked off from the new ones.
Most of the notes also retained their various security features.
Many Nigerians have wondered why the only noticeable feature in the redesigned naira notes are their new colours.
Former senator who represented Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani said: ” If it’s Naira colour,the CBN should have just engage Snapchat.”
@drpenking said: “These people just dipped the old Naira notes inside Hypo bleach 3 times, made some incantations and poured libation, then called it new Naira notes. God will judge Emefiele.”
But @dawisu said: ” The Federal Govt clearly stated that it was REDESIGNING naira notes, not creating new designs, and the essence partly is to control money in circulation by making sure all cash transactions pass through banks henceforth, which I believe is a good thing, unless if you’re a looter.”
