CBN Cautions Against Panic Withdrawals, Says Old Notes Remain Legal Tender

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned Nigerians against panic withdrawals reiterating that the old and new naira notes remained legal tender.

This is as the apex bank again assured Nigerians of the availability of sufficient naira notes in the country for economic activities

The warnings were contained in a statement on Wednesday issued by the apex bank.

“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 remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007,” said CBN spokesman, Isa AbdulMumin.

“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 for onward circulation to bank customers.

“We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the 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.”

The apex bank “reaffirms that there is sufficient stock of currency notes to facilitate normal economic activities”.