The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday renewed its warning against the abuse of the naira, insisting that spraying, hawking or mutilating the national currency remains a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.
Speaking at the 2025 CBN Fair in Enugu, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, said the apex bank would no longer tolerate the rising cases of currency abuse, describing the naira as “a national symbol that must be treated with dignity.”
“We strongly appeal to all Nigerians: do not spray, hawk, mutilate or counterfeit the naira. It is not just paper; it is a vital symbol of our country,” Sidi Ali said.
She noted that poor currency handling undermines financial literacy, weakens monetary reforms and increases the cost of currency management.
According to her, “respecting and maintaining the cleanliness of the naira is part of building the kind of financial culture we want. Everyone has a responsibility to keep the currency clean.”
Sidi Ali said the monetary tightening, exchange-rate unification, and enhanced transparency under CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso had brought measurable improvements in Nigeria’s financial stability.
“Inflation is responding, reserves have improved and FX market stability is stronger than before,” she stated.
She added that the bank recapitalisation plan, roll-out of the non-resident BVN scheme and reforms in the payment systems were designed to improve confidence in the financial sector.
The spokesperson also warned the public against misinformation on social media, saying Nigerians must rely on official CBN communication channels to avoid being misled.
Earlier, the CBN Enugu Branch Controller, Justice Agbeze—represented by Uche Ezike—said proper handling of the naira was critical to consumer protection.
“Our clean-notes policy is not cosmetic. It is central to how the CBN protects consumers and strengthens the payment ecosystem,” he said.
He explained that engagements like the Fair allow students, business owners, and the general public to understand how CBN policies affect everyday financial transactions.
The two-day fair featured experts from the Currency Operations, Payments System, Consumer Protection and Microfinance Departments, who educated participants on:
payment system upgrades,consumer rights and redress channels,currency management processes, and microfinance regulations.
The officials encouraged Nigerians to ask questions, seek clarifications, and participate in financial-literacy programmes, saying effective financial inclusion depends on the cooperation of the public.
“The naira is ours. Its value, its dignity, and its future depend on how we treat it,” Sidi Ali concluded.
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