1000 naira note

Dimensions
151mm x 78mm

Date Released
12th October, 2005

Design:
The N1000 note is the highest denomination in circulation. Machine engraved patterns of various characters appear on the design. These patterns provide the tactile quality so essential to the security of the banknote. Bold colours have been used on the background tint to link securely with the engraving and help give a distinctive identification to the design. It has an Optical Variable Ink (OVI) triangle, a kinegram and iridescent band as additional security features.

On the front of the note are the portraits of Alhaji Aliyu Mai Bornu and  Dr. Clement Isong - who were the first and second indigenous Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria. At the back of the note is the picture of CBN's corporate Head Office in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

Alhaji Aliyu Mai-Bornu (1919 - 1970)

Mallam Aliyu Mai Bornu was born in 1919 and began his elementary school in 1932. He was later on transferred to Yola Middle School from where proceeded to the then Kaduna College in 1938 and passed out in 1942 after qualifying as an English Language Teacher.

Mallam Mai Bornu taught English at his alma mater, Yola Middle School from 1942 to 1946 and then proceeded to Kaduna College where he served in the same capacity. In 1954, he served as House Tutor at the Veterinary School in Vom before proceeding to Bristol University that same year, to study Economics.

After his graduation in 1957, he returned to Nigeria and served with the Northern Nigeria Public Service as an Administrative Officer where he held various positions before his secondment to the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1959 as an Assistant Secretary. At the CBN, Mallam Mai Bornu went on to become the Deputy Secretary and Secretary before his appointment as Deputy Governor in 1962. He became the first indigenous Governor of the Bank in 1963 and retired from its service in 1967. He was thereafter appointed Director and General Manager of the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC). Although he resigned his appointment at the NTC in 1969, he continued to serve as a member of the Board of Directors until his death on the 23rd of February, 1970.

Dr. Clement Isong

Dr. Clement N. Isong was the second Nigerian to be Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria. Dr. Isong was a brilliant, industrious and highly talented Nigerian who excelled in various fields. He was a teacher, banker, economist, administrator and politician.

He was born on 20th April, 1920 in Eket, Akwa Ibom State to Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Isonguyo.

He attended University College, Ibadan, Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, USA and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Science where he obtained Ph.D. in Economics.

Dr. Isong taught Economics in University of Ibadan. He joined Central Bank of Nigeria as Secretary and later became Director of Research. He was seconded to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an Adviser in the African Department.

Dr. Isong served as the Governor of the CBN from 1967 to 1975 at a critical time in the history of Nigeria. After retirement, he joined politics. He was elected the first civilian Governor of Cross River State from 1979 to 1983. Having contributed to the growth of Nigeria, Dr. Isong was honoured with Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR) in 1982. He died on 29th May, 2000.

Dr. Clement Isong's portrait appears on the N1000 Note.