The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged Nigerians to treat the naira with greater respect, warning that careless handling of the national currency is driving up the cost of printing and replacement.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the launch of a nationwide sensitisation campaign themed “Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care,” the CBN Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Bala Bello, said the naira must be seen beyond its role as a medium of exchange.
“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 outright mutilation—undermine the dignity of our national symbol and increase the costs of maintaining it,” Bello said in his keynote address, delivered by the Director of Currency Operations, Adedeji Adetona.
Bello further noted that continued disregard for proper naira handling not only shortens the lifespan of banknotes but also raises printing costs, disrupts daily transactions, and erodes public confidence in the currency. He also cautioned Nigerians against hoarding cash, particularly with the festive season approaching.
“Cash hoarding harms us all. It denies others access to cash, disrupts circulation, and puts undue strain on the system. I therefore call on stakeholders to encourage responsible cash use, promote alternative payment platforms, and help curb hoarding,” he added.
Highlighting the collective responsibility required, Bello urged banks to educate customers and ensure only fit notes are in circulation, while market operators and transporters were tasked with discouraging rejection and abuse of banknotes. He also called on the media and civil society to amplify the campaign message.
In his welcome address, Adetona—represented by Deputy Director Kazeem Olatinwo—said the sensitisation campaign was not just about clean notes but about strengthening public trust in the financial system. “As we approach the yuletide, the Bank has made sufficient arrangements to ensure an adequate supply of banknotes nationwide. What is needed is proper handling to keep our notes clean and fit for use,” he explained.
Also speaking, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, reminded Nigerians that the issuance of legal tender and ensuring the availability of clean notes are core mandates of the apex bank under Sections 17, 18, and 19 of the CBN Act 2007.
She stressed that protecting the naira is a collective duty. “The CBN is committed to enhancing Nigeria’s payment system while protecting consumer rights. Citizens must embrace alternative payment platforms to reduce pressure on cash,” she said.
The sensitisation campaign is expected to run nationwide, with the CBN targeting banks, markets, schools, transport hubs, and social gatherings as part of efforts to protect the integrity of the naira.