The Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (NSPM) has urged Nigerians and other users of the Nigerian currency to refrain from experimenting with the new naira notes as has been well documented in various skits, clips and sundry media in the last few weeks.
This appeal is contained in a statement made by the company on Friday to calm the well-publicised fears of the general public over the perceived inadequacies of the newly redesigned naira notes. The statement was signed by its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Ahmed. A. Halilu.
“The Naira is our legal tender and national symbol. We, therefore, urge Nigerians and other users of the Naira banknotes not to subject our banknotes to experiments in order to prove a point,” the statement said.
The company which handles most, if not all, security printing needs of the Nigerian government asserted that it has been producing the national currency without any drama or any untoward incident since 2014 thereby saving scarce foreign exchange.
“We want to inform all Nigerians that the new Naira notes are of the same substrates and passed through the same printing processes and finishing procedures. It is, therefore, basically the same as the other notes in circulation. It also leaves traces of intaglio inks when rubbed on plain white surfaces.
“The NSPM Plc has been meeting the currency needs of Nigeria with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria since 2014. Indeed, Nigeria has achieved zero importation of currency, developed local capacity and, to an extent, conserved foreign exchange within this period.
“Finally, we assure all Nigerians that best international practices have been deployed in the production of our national symbol, the (Naira), and we shall continue to ensure that it meets international standards