The Central Bank of Nigeria, Friday, categorically rubbished viral reports purporting that the old series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes will cease to be legal tender by December 31, 2024.
The acting Director of Corporate Communications of the CBN, Sidi Hakama, debunked the fake news via a statement he issued in Abuja, the nation’s capital, stressing that the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, to extend the use of old naira banknotes still subsists. It holds indefinitely, he said emphatically.
His words: “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to discussions at different fora suggesting that the old series of the N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes shall cease to be legal tender on December 31, 2024. We wish to state categorically that such claims are false and calculated to disrupt the country’s payment system.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, granting the prayer of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to extend the use of old Naira banknotes ad infinitum, subsists.
“Similarly, the CBN’s directive to all its branches to continue to issue and accept all denominations of Nigerian banknotes, old and re-designed, to and from deposit money banks (DMBs) remains in force.”
By the Supreme Court order, the old series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes will continue to be legal tender alongside the redesigned versions indefinitely.
