Banknote Billet Nigeria 10 naira Alvan Ikoku, membre du conseil africain pour l'éducation 2014

The 10 naira banknote issued by Nigeria in 2014 belongs to the BF series and is distinguished by its polymer substrate, a synthetic material used by many central banks for its durability and resistance properties superior to those of traditional paper.

This banknote honours Alvan Ikoku, an iconic figure in African education. A teacher, intellectual and activist, Alvan Ikoku was an influential member of the African Council on Education, an institution dedicated to the development and promotion of education across the African continent. His portrait forms the central element of the banknote's obverse, paying tribute to his commitment to learning and the intellectual development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

The use of polymer as the substrate for this banknote gives it particular physical characteristics. This type of substrate allows for the integration of transparent windows and advanced security features, making counterfeiting more difficult. It also ensures greater resistance to moisture, tearing and everyday wear, thereby considerably extending the lifespan of the banknote in circulation.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has gradually adopted polymer for some of its denominations, as part of a drive to modernise its currency. The 10 naira polymer banknote from the BF series dated 2014 thus represents a concrete testament to this technological evolution in Nigerian monetary production.