The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has intensified its nationwide sensitisation campaign against the abuse of the naira with a public road show, to educate Nigerians on properly handling of the naira currency.
Flagging off commencement of the roadshow themed.”Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care” on Wednesday in Abuja, the apex bank disclosed that the activity was part of ongoing efforts to preserve the integrity of the naira and curb practices such as spraying, selling, writing, or mutilation of banknotes.
CBN’s Deputy Governor, Operations Department, Mr. Bala Bello, urged Nigerians to respect the naira, as he stressed on the need to always keep banknotes clean, avoid folding or crushing them, and to use proper storage.
Represented by the Director, Operations and Branch Management Department, Dr Sikiru Adetona, he reminded Nigerians that abuse of the naira in any form was punishable under existing laws, adding that the campaign was aimed at ensuring Nigerians respect the Naira which he described as a national symbol.
According to him, abusing the naira whether spraying at parties, mutilation, money bouquets or other forms of naira abuses, weakens confidence, shortens the lifespan of naira notes and costs the nation billions in reprints.
He said: “Today, we begin an important journey to strengthen not only the integrity of our currency but also the partnerships that sustain our financial ecosystem.
“The Naira is more than a means of payment. It represents our national pride, our sovereignty, and our shared destiny as a people. Unfortunately, careless practices-folding, tearing, spraying at social events, writing on notes, and even outright mutilation undermine the dignity of our national symbol and increase the costs of maintaining it. This campaign, themed “Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care,” is not just a Central Bank initiative; it is a call to collective action.
“If we do not act today, poor handling of our notes will continue to raise the cost of printing and replacement of the currency, cause frustration in everyday transactions, and weaken confidence in our national currency.
“However, if we handle our notes with care and collaborate across all sectors, we extend the lifespan of our currency, reduce avoidable costs, improve transaction efficiency, and reinforce the Naira as a true symbol of unity and pride.”
Bello who urged Nigerians against hoarding of cash as the yuletide season approaches, noted that the act “harms us all. It denies others access to cash, disrupts circulation, and puts undue strain on the system. Here again, collaboration is important. I therefore call on all stakeholders to encourage responsible cash use, promote alternative payment platforms, and help curb hoarding practices.”
He called for a multi-sectoral collaboration to enable the CBN succeed in its mission of ensuring proper handling of naira notes.
“To truly change behaviours and instil respect for the Naira, we need the collaboration of all stakeholders; commercial banks, microfinance institutions, transport unions, traders associations, market leaders, schools, religious organizations, civil society, and the media.
“Every stakeholder has a critical role to play. Banks must continue to educate customers and ensure fit notes are always in circulation. Markets and transport operators must help discourage the rejection or abuse of Naira notes, the media and civil society must amplify the campaign and take the message into every household while all Nigerian citizen must see themselves as custodians of the Naira. This is how we will move from sensitization to true behavioural change.”
The Director Currency: Mr. Kazeem Olatinwo who also advised against hoarding of naira notes ahead of the yulutide season, disclosed that the CBN has made “sufficient arrangements to ensure adequate supply of banknotes to meet demand nationwide. What is needed is proper handling to keep our notes clean and fit for use.”
On her part, Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, of the CBN, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, noted that the apex bank was committed to ensuring availability of clean currency which was inline with the clean notes policy of the CBN.
She however urged all Nigerians to join the CBN in achieving the clean notes policy saying, “It is the civic duty of every Nigerian to respect the Naira and keep it clean to safeguard its integrity.
“The Naira is our critical symbol of national identity, do not spray, hawk or mutilate it. The CBN is committed to enhancing Nigeria’s payment system and protecting customers’ rights.
“We encourage all Nigerians to explore the numerous alternative payments channels. From today, all Nigerians are implored to be advocates and ambassadors of clean Naira notes.”
