Naira redesigning: CBN instructs commercial banks to work Saturdays

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed commercial banks in the country to work on Saturdays till January 31, 2023, to enable bank customers to return old naira notes for new ones.

It is recalled that the CBN has announced a plan to redesign produce, release, and circulate new series of three banknotes, out of the existing eight banknotes, comprising N200, N500, and N1,000 denominations respectively, effective on December 15, 2022, after its launch by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking at the CBN fair in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Thursday, themed, promoting financial stability and economic development, the Director, of the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mr. Osita Nwasinobi, said that the new and existing currencies shall remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023, when the existing current shall cease to be legal tender in Nigeria.

Represented by the acting director, of Corporate Communications, CBN, Akpama Uket, the director said that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have been directed to immediately start returning the existing currencies to the CBN.

“They have also been instructed to receive the existing banknotes beyond the threshold stipulated by the Cashless Policy without charges to customers.

“Consequently, you must return all the current N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes to your bank before the expiration of the deadline”.

The CBN boss said that the focus of the Bank in redesigning naira notes is macroeconomic stability, adding that the efforts entail building a strong, stable, and resilient economy that is self-sustaining and able to weather unanticipated shocks.

“This the bank will do by applying appropriate monetary policy tools, striving to rein in inflation, and continuously encouraging a productive economy through its interventions”,

Meanwhile, the CBN warned Nigerians of the consequences of the mishandling of naira notes, saying that, “Let me also reiterate the need to handle the Naira with care. The Naira remains a symbol of our national pride. Treat it with utmost dignity. Do not spray, squeeze or counterfeit the Naira, as default goes with consequences”.

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