CBN issues fresh directive to banks, Nigerians on naira notes

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has issued a fresh directive to all banks and Nigerians regarding accepting old and redesigned Naira notes.

CBN issued the directive on Wednesday in a statement by its Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Sidi Hakama.

The bank emphasised that all bank notes, including old and redesigned ones, remain legal tender.

The apex bank’s directive comes as the Supreme Court granted the prayers of the federal government to lift the December 31 extension deadline for the usage of N200, N500, and N1,000 notes on Wednesday.

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Reacting to the apex court’s ruling, the CBN asked all its branches to continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian notes.

“To avoid doubt, the Supreme Court ordered that the old versions of N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes, alongside the redesigned versions, shall continue to be legal tender.

“Accordingly, in line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria will remain legal tender indefinitely.

“Members of the public are enjoined to continue to accept all Naira banknotes (Old or redesigned) for their day-to-day transactions and handle these banknotes with utmost care to safeguard and protect the lifecycle of the banknotes,” it said.