All CBN Issued Banknotes Remain Legal Tender, Says Apex Bank, Reassures Of Adequate Supply Old/New Naira Notes

By Yusuf Olatunji 

Nigeria's apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated that old and redesigned notes issue by it remains legal tender and must not be rejected by anyone in the country. 

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director, Corporate Communications, at the CBN, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin. 

The CBN also reassured Nigeria residents that there are sufficient cash stocks in all locations across the country for normal economic activities. 

According to the statement, the CBN was reacting to reports of a scarcity of cash across some major cities in the country despite assurances of sufficient cash stocks in all locations across the country. 

The CBN's spokesperson, equally noted that there have also been reports of anxiety among some members of the public over the legality or otherwise of old Naira banknotes. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across

the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that

every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

“Accordingly, branches of the CBN across the country have been directed to continue

to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to deposit money banks (DMBs) for onward circulation to bank customers. 

“We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remain legal tender. 

“In line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007, no one should refuse to accept the Naira as a means of payment. 

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals”, the apex bank stated. 

The CBN then reaffirmed that “there is sufficient stock of currency notes to facilitate normal economic activities.

“Furthermore, to reduce the pressure on the use of physical cash, members of the public are again advised to continue to embrace alternative modes of payment”, the CBN said.