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Redesigned Naira: CBN Launches Cash Swap Programme For Rural Dwellers …CAN Pledges Support For New Notes
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is to launch a Cash Swap Programme in partnership with Super Agents and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), to enable rural dwellers and those with limited access to formal financial services to exchange old Naira notes for the redesigned notes.
Director, Financial Markets Department of the Bank, Dr. Angela Sere-Ejembi, made this known at the weekend when she led a team to the popular Modern Market and North Bank Market all in Makurdi to sensitise traders and their customers on the redesigned Naira notes and the urgent need to return the old notes to commercial banks for new ones.
Represented by a Deputy Director in the bank, Mr. Demenongu Yanfa, Sere-Ejembi, disclosed that the Cash Swap Programme would take effect from today.
She said the initiative was part of a concerted effort by the apex bank to maximise the channels through which undeserved and rural communities could speedily exchange their old Naira notes.
Giving an insight into the swap process, Sere-Ejembi explained that “the old N1000, N500, N200 notes can be exchanged for the newly redesigned notes and/or the existing lower denominations (N100, N50 and N20, etc) which remain legal tender.
“The agent shall exchange a maximum of N 10,000 per person. Amounts above N 10,000 may be treated as cash-in deposit into wallets or bank accounts in line with the cashless policy. BVN, NIN, or Voter’s card details of the customers should be captured as much as possible.
“This service is also available to anybody without a bank account. Agents may, on request instantly open a wallet or account, leveraging the CBN Tiered Know Your Customer, KYC, Framework. This will ensure that this category of the populace are able to exchange or deposit their cash seamlessly without taking unnecessary risk or incurring undue cost.
“Agents shall sensitize customers on opening wallets/ bank accounts and the various channels for conducting electronic transactions. The designated agents are eligible to collect the redesigned notes from DMBs in line with the Revised Cash Withdrawal Limit policy. Agents are also permitted to charge cashout fees for the cash swap transactions but prohibited from charging any further commissions to customers for this service.”
According to her “Agents shall render weekly returns to their designated banks regarding the cash swap transactions. DMBs shall in tum render same to the CBN on a weekly basis.”
She said, “Principals (Super Agents, MMOs, DMBs) shall be held accountable for their agents adherence to the above guidelines.
“The Cash Swap agents will be readily identifiable in all local governments, particularly those in the rural areas and the CBN will continue to monitor implementation of the programme and provide further guidance as may be necessary.”
Sere-Ejembi told the gathering that since January 31, 2023 was the deadline for the withdrawal of the old Naira notes, there was a need for the people to take advantage of the remaining days to lodge their old notes in the banks.
She disclosed that the new notes were designed with special security features and produced to last long thereby saving the country the money spent on reproducing notes.
She advised the people to report to the CBN through a phone number provided on flyers, any bank that refuses to accept the old Naira notes before the January 31 deadline.
Meanwhile, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has promised to support the Central Bank of Nigeria, to ensure the actualisation of the goals of the change of old currency notes.
CAN Secretary, Abia State, Rev. Dr OkechukwuMgbeahuru, who made the pledge when he received in audience a monitoring team from the CBN said, that churches in the state would help to sensitises their members about the new policy.
Mgbeahuru thanked the CBN for deeming it necessary to carry the church along in the new policy, and promised to help pass the message through the various CAN blocs.
He said that the public awareness on the new policy could be spread faster through faith-based organisations.
CAN noted with concern that the new Naira notes were still scarce, and urged the apex bank to help clear the impediments slowing down the circulation process.
Adding his voice, the Abia State Coordinator of Nigeria Prays, Dr Chuks Alozie, lauded the CBN for the policy, saying that any economic policy that would help revive Nigeria’s economy would receive the tacit support of the church.
Speaking earlier, leader of the CBN team, and the Head, Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, OsitaNwanisiobi, said that they were in the state to enlighten the public on the details of the new policy, and to assess the level of compliance by commercial banks on the distribution directives of the new currency notes.
He noted some complaints by traders and members of the public that the new notes were not fully circulating.
The CBN Spokesperson said the team had visited some banks where it was found that many of the banks were still dispensing the old currency notes in their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Nwanisiobi said the team had noted some of the challenges that commercial banks said they had in distributing the new currency notes, promising that in the coming days more new Naira notes would be in circulation.
He said the banks had been sternly warned to ensure they load their ATMs with only the new naira notes, and not to dispense the new notes over the counter for now.
Nwanisiobi threatened heavy sanctions against any commercial bank found hoarding the new currency notes or flouting the guidelines on their distribution.
He said that the CBN had enough of the new currency notes, while urging commercial banks to come to the apex bank and collect their allocations.
Addressing traders earlier at Ubani Ultra Modem Market, Nwanisiobi said that the January 31 deadline for the old currency notes to cease being a legal tender was sacrosanct.
He urged traders to deposit all their old currency notes before the deadline, adding that people without bank accounts could still sway their old currency notes through super agents in communities and hamlets where there are no banks.
He also urged people to embrace other payment options for their financial transactions to minimise the use of physical cash.
In a remark, Vice Chairman of the market, Chief Chikaodi Chukwunyere, pleaded with the CBN to send super agents to the market for currency swap for people without bank accounts.
The CBN team also took the public enlightenment to the mosques in Umuahia to sensitise Muslim faithful.
In an interview with newsmen, Chief Joseph Anosike (Niger Tailors), accused commercial banks of sabotaging the new policy by taking the new naira notes to politicians.
He regretted that the masses expecting to get the new naira notes via ATMs get disappointed as most of the banks still dispense the old notes through their ATMs.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.
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