Human rights activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has spoken out against the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy criminalising the spraying of naira notes at social gatherings.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Yesufu aired her opinion on Monday via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, where she described the ban as one of the “dumbest things ever.”
According to her, spraying money during celebrations is a deeply rooted cultural practice in Nigeria and should not be seen as an offence.
She insisted that the act does not damage the currency in any way, nor does it devalue its worth.
“The money was never spoilt. It was still packed up and used,” she stated, adding that the practice brought vibrance and tradition to ceremonies across the country.
Aisha Yesufu further argued that the decision to outlaw naira spraying appears to be driven more by personal or religious sentiments of policymakers than by logical reasoning or economic necessity.
“Why stop it? Because someone out there decided it was against their beliefs, so it had to be stopped?” she asked rhetorically.
The activist lamented that while authorities focus on punishing individuals for public displays of culture, they fail to address more pressing issues plaguing Nigeria’s economy.
She urged the CBN and other regulatory bodies to redirect their energy towards fighting large-scale corruption, economic mismanagement, and internal financial crimes within banking institutions.
Yesufu’s criticism comes amid growing public discourse around the regulation of cultural expressions in Nigeria, especially at a time when inflation, currency depreciation, and unemployment are major concerns.
Critics of the naira spraying ban argue that it targets ordinary Nigerians while turning a blind eye to institutional financial abuse and political looting.
Aisha Yesufu, known for her fearless civic activism and outspokenness, has continued to challenge policies she believes infringe on citizens’ freedoms or distract from the real work of governance.
Her comments are sparking renewed debate on whether some Nigerian cultural practices are being unfairly stifled in the name of regulation and control.