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…assures of adequate cash supply nationwide
With the festive season fast approaching and demand for physical cash expected to rise sharply, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has called on Nigerians to treat the naira with dignity and shun practices that damage the nation’s currency.
The CBN also assured the public of sufficient cash in circulation to meet legitimate demand across the country.
The appeal came during the official flag-off of the nationwide sensitisation campaign on proper naira notes handling in Abuja on Wednesday.
The campaign, spearheaded by the apex bank, aims to curb the abuse of naira banknotes and discourage hoarding practices that threaten the smooth functioning of the country’s monetary system.
At the flag-off event, Bala M. Bello, CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, emphasised the urgency of reversing damaging behaviours such as spraying, folding, tearing, writing on, and rejecting currency notes—a trend he warned has become too normalised.
“The Naira is more than a means of payment. It represents our national pride, our sovereignty, and our shared destiny as a people,” Bello said.
The campaign, tagged “Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care”, is part of a broader push by the apex bank to reinforce public discipline around the use of currency notes and extend the lifespan of cash in circulation.
With the cost of printing and replacing damaged notes continuing to rise, Bello stressed that the Central Bank cannot shoulder the responsibility alone.
“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 organisations, civil society, and the media,” he noted.
The initiative comes at a critical time when cash usage typically spikes during the December festive season, with large informal cash transactions and celebratory spending across the country.
Bello warned that cash hoarding poses an increasing risk to the system, especially during periods of high demand. “Cash hoarding harms us all. It denies others access to cash, disrupts circulation, and puts undue strain on the system,” he said, calling for broader adoption of digital payment channels as a reliable alternative.
While the clean notes policy has existed for years, CBN is now betting on deeper stakeholder engagement and mass public education and collaboration to shift perceptions.
“Let us join hands—banks, traders, schools, transport unions, civil society, media, and everyday citizens—to ensure that the message resounds everywhere: ‘The Naira is our pride. Handle it with care,” the deputy governor appealed.
Reinforcing the CBN’s preparedness ahead of the holiday season, Sikiru Adedeji Adetona, Director of Currency Operations and Bank Management, assured that cash supply will not be a challenge.
“As we approach the yuletide, the Bank 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,” Adetona said.
The event brought together participants from across key sectors, including market leaders, civil society groups, youth corps members, schools, and the media.
Representatives from the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and other private sector bodies also pledged support for the initiative, promising to carry the message into the grassroots.
Also speaking at the event, Hakama Sidi Ali,
Acting director, CBN corporate communications department, reminded Nigerians that the duty to safeguard the naira goes beyond government mandates.
“It is the civic duty of every Nigerian to respect the Naira and keep it clean to safeguard its integrity,” she said. Urging Nigerians to refrain from practices like hawking and spraying banknotes, she added: “The Naira is our critical symbol of national identity. Do not spray, hawk or mutilate it.”
