SMM Numbers

Use words for numbers up to nine, so; one, two, three, etc. unless with an abbreviated quantity, eg 3kg (not 3 kg). Above nine use figures, 10, 34, etc.

In headlines where space is short 3, 7, etc. is acceptable.

 Spell out millions and billions, N30million, but N30m is acceptable in headlines. 40% not 40 per cent/percent.

 Never use a figure to begin a sentence, always write numbers in words: 

Correct: 'Six hundred insurgents have been killed ...', 

Incorrect: '600 insurgents...'.

If spelling out the number takes unnecessary space, then rewrite to avoid it:

Incorrect: Forty-two thousand, five hundred and seventy eight Permanent Voters Cards are yet to be distributed by the INEC in ...;

 Correct: The INEC has yet to distribute 42,578 Permanent Voters Cards in ...

 An exception is years: '2014 was a bad year for ...', although, again, avoid if possible.