5 Nigerian Naira Paper Banknote (Bank Building)

5 Naira Naira (Issued 1973-1978)

The introduction of the Nigerian naira in January 1973 marked a decisive moment in the country’s post-independence economic identity, as Nigeria transitioned fully to a decimal currency system and severed its remaining ties to the pre-existing pound structure. This Five Naira note, issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria during the period 1973 to 1978, formed part of the first complete naira series and represented the new nation’s ambition to establish a sovereign monetary framework befitting its status as Africa’s most populous country. The timing of the issue coincided with Nigeria’s growing oil revenues and an era of considerable national confidence. As a withdrawn note, it now stands as a tangible document of a formative chapter in Nigerian financial history.

On the front, the dominant central image is a finely engraved rendering of the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters building in Lagos, depicted with considerable architectural precision — a multi-storey modernist structure flanked by manicured grounds, trees, and a forecourt, all rendered in intaglio engraving that gives the scene considerable depth and texture. The overall colour palette of the front is a soft combination of pale green, lilac, and grey-purple, with the background filled by dense guilloché latticework patterns that shift subtly across the note’s surface. In the upper centre, the issuing authority is clearly identified in bold serif typography reading “CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA”, with “FIVE NAIRA” printed in large capitals directly beneath. The naira symbol with the numeral five — ₦5 — appears in multiple positions across the note, including the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right corners, each set within ornate rosette or starburst motifs. The serial number DD/4 202868 appears twice — once in the upper right area and once in the lower left — printed in dark ink. A circular watermark area is clearly visible to the right of the building vignette, left intentionally unprinted to allow the watermark to be examined when held to light. Below the central vignette, Arabic script rendering “Five Naira” is printed in a decorative band, providing bilingual identification consistent with Nigeria’s linguistic diversity. Two signature lines appear at the lower portion of the note, labelled “GOVERNOR” and “CHIEF OF BANKING OPERATIONS” respectively, with cursive signatures printed above each title.

The reverse is printed predominantly in dark olive-green and black, with the entire design executed in sharp intaglio engraving of exceptional quality. The central vignette depicts a male agricultural worker kneeling on the ground, wielding a hand tool as he works what appears to be a palm produce harvest — bunches of palm fruit are visible before him, with tall sugar cane or similar crops rising in the background alongside a palm tree, evoking Nigeria’s agricultural economy. The figure is rendered with fine cross-hatching that gives the scene a three-dimensional, sculptural quality typical of high-quality intaglio currency printing. To the left of this scene, the text “CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA” is printed vertically in bold capitals, running along the left margin. A large circular watermark zone dominates the left-centre of the reverse, left clear of printing. In the lower centre, “FIVE NAIRA” is printed in bold serif capitals. The denomination ₦5 appears in all four corners of the reverse within ornate guilloche-bordered panels, and a floral rosette bearing the Nigerian coat of arms is visible within the lower left decorative border. The border itself is composed of intricate geometric and guilloché patterns that frame the entire reverse design in a continuous decorative band.

This 5 Naira banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com, where old or withdrawn Nigerian Naira banknotes are bought alongside other foreign currency — ideal for clearing a drawer of mixed coins and notes at once.

• Indicate the quantity of 5 Naira Naira banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Exchange foreign coins and banknotes the easy way — Webuyallcurrency.com buys Nigerian Naira banknotes, current or discontinued, and combines them with the rest of your leftover currency for one simple payment.

Other Nigerian Naira you can exchange: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000.