Nigerian Naira Symbol (₦)
The Nigerian Naira symbol (₦) is the official monetary mark for the currency of Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation. Encoded at Unicode U+20A6, the glyph consists of a capital Latin letter N crossed by two horizontal parallel bars.
Typographic & Developer Encoding Codes
Quickly copy HTML entities, CSS content escape sequences, and Unicode code points for Nigerian Naira.
| Format | Value / Code | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Symbol | ₦ | Standard plain text character or abbreviation | |
| Unicode Code Point | U+20A6 | NAIRA SIGN (Currency Symbols) | |
| Windows Input / Alt Code | Word: 20A6, Alt+X / Win + . | Keyboard shortcut for Windows PC | |
| HTML Named / Decimal Entity | None (Numeric: ₦) | HTML5 named character entity | |
| HTML Hex Entity | ₦ | Hexadecimal HTML character reference | |
| CSS Escape Code | \20A6 | For CSS ::before or ::after pseudo-elements |
How to Type Nigerian Naira Symbol (₦) on Any Device
Windows PC
In Microsoft Word, type 20A6 then press Alt + X. In other Windows applications, press Win + . to open the Symbol panel, or use 1-click copy.
Mac / macOS
No direct shortcut. Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer, or hold Option and enter hex in Unicode Hex Input.
iPhone & iPad (iOS)
Switch to English (Nigeria) keyboard: tap 123 then ₦
Android (Gboard)
Switch to English (Nigeria) keyboard: tap ?123 then ₦
Formatting Rules & Real-World Examples
Symbol Placement: Before Amount
In standard financial notation, the Nigerian Naira symbol is positioned immediately before the numerical amount.
Typography & International Usage Guidelines
The Naira symbol is positioned immediately before the numeric value without an intervening space (₦500.00). 1 Naira is subdivided into 100 kobo, although kobo coins have largely disappeared from daily cash circulation due to historical inflation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming ₦ has an HTML named entity (there is NO &naira; entity; web pages must use ₦ or ₦).
- Using a single-line strike through N instead of the standard double horizontal crossbars.
- Placing the symbol after the numeric amount in commercial invoicing.
Historical Background & Monetary Evolution
The naira was officially introduced on January 1, 1973 by the Central Bank of Nigeria under the military government of General Yakubu Gowon, replacing the British colonial Nigerian pound at a rate of 2 naira to 1 pound. This change completed Nigeria's transition to a decimal currency system. The name 'Naira' was coined by Chief Obafemi Awolowo by condensing the word 'Nigeria'. The symbol ₦ was designed by crossing the initial letter N with two horizontal stability bars, mirroring international currency design traditions.
Countries & Jurisdictions Using ₦
Related Tools & Guides for Nigerian Naira
ISO 4217 Lookup
Search standard three-letter currency codes and ISO country pairings.
ToolCurrency Formatter
Calculate before/after position styles and international decimal notations.
GuideMac Option Key Shortcuts
How to configure and type international financial marks quickly on macOS.
GuideGoogle Docs & Sheets Guide
Insert special characters and configure currency formats in spreadsheets.
GuideiPhone & iPad Shortcuts
Quick long-press keyboard shortcuts on iOS to type monetary symbols.
SpecsUnicode Technical Standards
Master technical index for U+20A0–U+20CF blocks, HTML entities & CSS codes.
Similar & Related Currency Symbols
Standards Verification & Official Registry Specifications
This specification has been verified against official international standards registries (ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency, Unicode Consortium 16.0, and Unicode CLDR).
Frequently Asked Questions about Nigerian Naira (₦)
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
What is the origin of the word 'Naira'?
The word Naira was coined in 1973 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, then Nigeria's Federal Commissioner for Finance, as a contraction of the country's name, 'Nigeria'.
How to type the Naira symbol (₦) on a PC keyboard?
In Microsoft Word, type 20A6 then press Alt + X. In other Windows software, press Win + . to open the Symbol panel, or use 1-click clipboard copy.
What is the subunit of the Nigerian Naira?
The Naira is divided into 100 kobo. While kobo coins are legally valid, they are rarely encountered in practical cash transactions due to devaluation over recent decades.