Withdraw old Naira notes from circulation immediately -Reps order CBN

The House of Representatives has ordered Nigeria’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make available more new notes of N200, N500 and N1,000 as well as begin a gradual withdrawal of the old notes from circulation.

The House also asked the CBN to direct commercial banks to issue more new Naira to customers and engage in gradual mopping up of the old notes.

In a resolution following a motion of urgent national importance by Adam Victor Ogene (LP, Anambra), the House said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should kick-start awareness programmes for Nigerians to be aware and prepare for the deadline of December 31, 2024.

Leading the debate on the motion, Ogene recalled the hardship, frustration, controversy and chaotic situation occasioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) change of currency in 2023, that affected validity of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 Naira notes at the time that resulted in litigations.

He also recalled that the scarcity of the new currency notes led to untold hardship in the nation as a result of the CBN’s inability to supply new versions of the changed currency notes.

He said: “Going by the Supreme Court’s subsequent ruling and order, the N200, N500 and N1,000 notes shall cease to be legal tender, medium of exchange for goods and services in Nigeria, and shall also cease to be in circulation as from January 1, 2025.”

He expressed concerns the CBN has not shown any sign of sensitisation or kick-started any awareness programme to remind Nigerians about this important economic policy in order to make them prepare for the deadline of 31/12/2024.

He said Nigerians will be plunged into more chaotic situations than what happened in February, 2023, when the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes shall cease to be legal tender and medium of exchange for goods and services as from January 1, 2025.

According to him, the CBN ought to have started public awareness, such as Jingles, Television and Radio announcements, Social Media postings, Flyers, Daily Newspapers and Periodic Magazines publications three (3) months before the deadline but now with about two (2) months to the deadline, yet nothing to show that the apex bank is prepared for the exercise.

He also expressed concern that rather than a gradual withdrawal, the CBN is still comfortably releasing the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes mixed with the new N200, N500 and N1,000 notes for business transactions in Nigeria, instead of the gradual mopping up of the old notes from circulation or ordering commercial banks to do so by issuing out only the new notes.

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