The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Sunday extended the deadline for the exchange of old naira notes.
Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, extended the date by 10 days.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, Emefiele said the new deadline is now February 10, 2023.
The apex bank said it added “a 10-day extension of the deadline from January 31, 2023, to February 10, 2023, to allow for the collection of more old notes.”
This is according to the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
He also noted that Nigerians would still be able to deposit their old notes directly with the CBN until February 17, 2023, described as “grace period.”
There has been pressure from many Nigerians and groups concerning the initial January 31 deadline for the old notes, as the scarcity of the newly designed 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes prevailed in the country.
Emefiele said, “Based on the foregoing, we have sought and obtained Mr President’s approval for the following: a 10-day extension of the deadline from January 31, 2023, to February 10, 2023; to allow for collection of more old notes legitimately held by Nigerians and achieve more success in cash swap in our rural communities after which all old notes outside the CBN loses their Legal Tender Status.
“Our CBN staff currently on mass mobilisation and monitoring together with officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission will work together to achieve these objectives.
“A seven-day grace period, beginning from February 10 to February 17, 2023, in compliance with Sections 20(3) and 22 of the CBN Act, allowing Nigerians to deposit their old notes at the CBN after the February deadline when the old currency would have lost its Legal Tender status.”
Emefiele also sought the cooperation of all Nigerians in the implementation of the policy.
The CBN, before bowing to pressure today, had yesterday (Saturday) insisted that the January 31 deadline for the validity of the old 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes remained unchanged.
The apex bank, via its verified Twitter page, insisted on Saturday evening that the January 31, 2023 deadline remained.
Reposting a video of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, from a just concluded Monetary Policy Committee meeting, the apex bank said, “Deadline for the return of old series of 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes remains January 31 2023.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for those who feel we should shift the deadline, my apologies.
“The reason is because, just like the president has said more than two occasions and even to some people privately, 100 days is more than enough for anybody who has the old currency to deposit it in the banks. And we took every measure to ensure that all the banks were and are still open to accept deposits.”
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I always knew that Jan 31st deadline was impossible, many banks don't have the new notes
ReplyDeleteConfused people.
ReplyDeleteI said it, and some people argued with me.
They will still need to extend it beyond Feb 10th, unless the banks were forced to dispense enough of new notes...
I just taya for this country, hope they don't push forward the elections too
DeleteExtend or no extend, may APC never happen to Nigeria
ReplyDeleteAmen ,buhari is d last apc president
DeleteBuhari spoilt APC, so it’s individual ds time not party, u should say May Fulani never happen to Nigeria again
ReplyDeleteThe 10days additional to me is still not the issue, Godwin Emefele can not be above the law he is serving the entire nation and when issue raised red alert that is hindering the economy that he is trying to protect at the public lost and also was called by the house of rep/senate, he should obey first and then complain
ReplyDeleteNigeria people are filling the lost.
What about the POS agent how are will going to deposit our money and get New notes cos they are not giving us New notes in ijebu ode in Ogun state
ReplyDelete