Why New Naira Notes Leaves Ink When Rubbed on White Surface
The government agency which printed new naira notes has a statement on why new notes leaves ink when rubbed on white surface:
“The attention of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc has been drawn to various clips, skits, concerns and comments on various platforms regarding the quality of the redesigned banknotes that were recently unveiled and issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“As the nation’s foremost security printing and minting company saddled with the responsibility of producing the country’s currency (naira), we find it expedient to address the salient issues and further enlighten Nigerians on the features of the currency and, most importantly, the misconception about the quality of the new naira notes.”
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 19 (Feb 9 – May 2, 2026): big discounts for early bird.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register for Tekedia AI Lab: From Technical Design to Deployment (next edition begins Jan 24 2026).
“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. It is, however, important to note that new banknotes are generally light when issued, then become heavier in circulation on getting in contact with dirt and moisture.
[...]
“the second stage of currency printing (Intaglio) requires a heavy deposit of special inks with fairly large particles to give a tactile feeling of the portraits as well as other raised prints by way of design.”
Managing Director, Ahmed Halilu
Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) Plc
