The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday highlighted security features in the redesigned naira notes to reaffirm the safety of the legal tender.

Security features on the new naira notes marked out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have made them inviolable to counterfeiting. Reports had suggested that counterfeits of the new notes were already in circulation, few days after their official rollout.

This is despite the fact that most Nigerians have not been able to see or touch the scarcely available new notes.

According to the apex bank, to recognise the N1,000 notes, users should look out for intaglio raised print, portrait watermark, officially variable ink that changes from blue to green with change in angle of view, kinegram with the image of N1,000 and Coat of Arms, iridescent band, windowed metallic security thread and see through printing in register.

The security features on N500 notes included hand-engraved portrait, windowed metallic security thread with CBN inscription, CBN 500 watermark, portrait watermark, officially variable ink that changes from blue to green with change in angle of view, silver patch with embossed Coat of Arms, see through printing in register and raised intaglio print. Also, the N200 has several security features  including hand-engraved portrait, windowed metallic security thread with CBN inscription, CBN 200 watermark, portrait watermark, officially variable ink that changes from blue to green with change in angle of view, gold patch with embossed Coat of Arms, see through printing in register and raised intaglio print.

A soft texture and dull image are indicators of a fake naira. There is also need to observe the gold foil on the right side, close to the CBN governor’s signature. The ribbon-like thread on all Naira notes can also be observed and touched to confirm if the note is genuine or otherwise.