E-Naira: Things To Know As CBN

Published

4 years ago

September 18, 2021

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will launch a digital currency, e-Naira in October to coincide with the nation’s independence anniversary.

Governor Godwin Emefiele has assured that the advantages of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) are enormous.

The apex bank chief urged Nigerians to embrace the e-Naira and explained it is safer than cryptocurrencies.

Things to know and the benefits:

Digital currency is the electronic form of fiat money issued by governments. However, many confuse it with cryptocurrency which is a store of value secured by encryption.

The central bank of a country supervises digital currency. Cryptocurrencies are not regulated by any government, reason why authorities warn against bitcoin, ethereum and the likes.

According to The Atlantic Council, more than 80 countries are now exploring a CBDC against 35 countries in May 2020.

The American think tank says China – which banned crypto dealings – is ahead, allowing foreign visitors to use digital yuan if they provide passport information to the People’s Bank of China,

The Bahamian Sand Dollar was the first CBDC to become widely available; over 14 countries are in the pilot stage while 5 have fully launched.

They are the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Grenada.

In 2017, the CBN took the decision to digitize the Naira, following the rise in the use of digital payments and acceptance of the digital economy.

In late August 2021, the regulator announced the selection of Fintech company, Bitt Inc., as the Technical Partner.

The firm was key to the development and launch of the CBDC pilot of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in April 2021.

The e-Naira would only exist in digital and electronic form. Individuals and financial institutions can track transactions easier.

e-Naira local and international transfers can be made within a little time and at cheaper rates. It simplifies cross-border trade and guarantees a faster inflow of remittances.

Users would be able to transfer existing funds in bank accounts to their digital currency account.

e-Naira is expected to help Nigerians create new business opportunities, financial products and services, reduce the cost of operations and cash management.

The digital currency would be implemented through a two-tiered model to enable a structure that allows public-private partnerships.

The CBN will design the e-Naira but disseminate it through regulated financial institutions. They would provide digital cash to persons and businesses.

(DAILY POST)

JUST IN: CBN Removes Cash Deposit Limits, Raises Weekly Withdrawal To N500,000

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has removed cash deposit limits and also increased the weekly cash withdrawal limit from N100,000 to N500,000.

The CBN made this known in a circular to all banks and other financial institutions, signed by Dr Rita Sike, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department.

Sike said that the revisions formed part of ongoing efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management and address security concerns.

According to her, it will also curb money laundering risks associated with heavy reliance on cash.

She said that the cash-related policies previously issued in response to evolving circumstances were aimed at reducing cash usage and promoting the adoption of electronic payment channels.

“However, with time, the need to streamline and update these provisions to reflect present-day realities became necessary,” she said.

She said that with effect from Jan. 1, 2026, the cumulative deposit limit would be removed and the fee previously charged on excess deposits would no longer apply.

The director said that the cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels has been reviewed to N500,000 for individuals and five million Naira for corporates.

“Withdrawals above these thresholds will attract excess withdrawal charges as specified,” she said. “The special monthly authorisation that allowed individuals to withdraw five million Naira and corporates N10 million once a month has been abolished.”

She said that for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), daily withdrawal remains capped at N100,000 per customer, with a maximum of N500,000 weekly.

She said that this formed part of the overall weekly withdrawal limit applicable to all channels, including point-of-sale (POS) transactions.

Sike said that excess withdrawals above the stipulated limits would attract three per cent for individuals and five per cent for corporate customers.

According to her, this will be shared in the ratio of 40 per cent to the CBN and 60 per cent to the operating bank or financial institution.

She directed banks to load all currency denominations in ATMs, while the existing limit on over-the-counter encashment of third-party cheques remains pegged at N100,000.

Sike said that such withdrawals would be counted as part of the cumulative weekly limit.

The director said that banks were also required to render monthly returns to the relevant supervisory departments.

She listed the departments to include the Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, and the Payments System Supervision Department.

Sike said that revenue-generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments were exempted from the new withdrawal rules.

She said that accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks held with commercial and non-interest banks are also exempted from the new rules.

She, however, said that the long-standing exemption previously enjoyed by embassies, diplomatic missions, and aid-donor agencies had been removed.

Business

Naira Records Depreciation Against US Dollar Across Official, Black Markets

Published

3 days ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

The naira depreciated against the dollar at the official and parallel foreign exchange markets on Monday to begin the new month on a bearish note.

Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira weakened to N1,448.44 on Monday, down from N1,446.74 traded on Friday last week.

This means that the naira dropped by N1.7 against the dollar on Monday when compared to Friday.

Similarly, at the black market, the Naira declined by N5 to N1,475 on Monday from N1,470 at the close of work last week.

The development comes as Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $44.61 billion as of November 27th, 2025.

Business

NNPCL Revenue, Profit Soar To N5.08tn, N447bn In October

Published

6 days ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced a significant revenue increase to N5.078 trillion for October 2025.

The state-owned firm disclosed this in its monthly financial report released on Saturday.

According to the financial report, from N5.078 revenue in October, the company posted a N447 profit after tax.

The figure represents a significant 19.2 percent increase in revenue from N4.26 trillion and a 106 percent rise in PAT from N216 billion in September 2025.

The report stated that from January to September, NNPCL paid N11.150 trillion in statutory payments to the federation.

Four days ago, NNPCL posted a total of N45.1 trillion as total revenue for the 2024 financial year.