The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has prohibited the use of banknotes in flower bouquets, towers, or cakes, warning that such practices amount to currency abuse.
The announcement comes ahead of Valentine’s Day, a period when Nigerians traditionally exchange gifts and flowers, sometimes incorporating cash into decorative arrangements.
The CBN cited provisions of the CBN Act, which classify tampering with the national currency including spraying, squeezing, defacing, or using banknotes in displays as punishable offenses, with penalties ranging from a minimum six-month jail term to a fine of at least ₦50,000.
Authorities have urged the public to protect the naira and report violations, as enforcement agencies ramp up actions against offenders nationwide.
The directive forms part of the government’s wider effort to maintain the integrity of the naira and prevent its misuse in non-monetary contexts.
