Governors of the 36 Nigerian states have raised an alarm concerning a likely recession that could happen considering the economical damage done through the scarcity of Naira notes. Amidst cautioning, they appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to not turn deaf ears to the sufferings of Nigerians as a result of the new Naira policy. On February 10, 2023, the Council of State asked the CBN to either print more new naira notes or recirculate the old ones to reduce the sufferings in the country.
Prior to this appeal, the governors of Kogi, Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara States sued the federal government to Supreme Court to request invalidation of the new naira policy deadline which they acclaimed to be the cause of Nigerians’ hardships. Ruling in their favor, suspension of the deadline of February 10 was approved. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, expressed the forum’s sympathy for Nigerians and pledged the commitment of the forum to ease the situation through legal means.
NGF accuses the CBN of pursuing a currency confiscation programme.
The governors asserted that at this point, it is imperative to strike the difference between the CBN Naira redesign policy supported by Section 20 (3) of the CBN Act, 2007 and the ambitious cashless policy which are currently both exclusive. The governors have therefore come to the conclusion that the CBN is currently pursuing a currency confiscation programme rather than the currency exchange policy captured under Sec 20 (3) of the CBN Act, 2007. This was decided because the liquidity given to the general public is massively insufficient as a result of the restrictions placed on withdrawal notwithstanding deposited amounts.
He added that this act by the CBN awakens questions about respect for the civil liberties and rights of Nigerians in relation to their freedom to spend legally earned income as they wish. The Forum is of the belief that deployment of a cashless policy and improvement of digital transactions requires creation of incentives for attraction of customers and not a cruel approach as the citizens have experienced in the last few months. The CBN’s argument of astronomical increases in the currency in circulation is not backed by its data.
Private sectors are yet to fully key into digital banking.
Similarly, the economy of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) and economic experts raised concerns for the need to find a solution to the inadequate supply of the redesigned naira notes that has damaged the demand and supply chains in the country. National President of Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr. Femi Egbesola, advised the need for quick methods to address the cash hiccups challenging the economy. He asserted that those who are mostly affected by the cash swap and redesigned policy are micro, small and medium enterprises, unbanked communities, and informal sector operators that are yet to key into digital banking.
Additionally, Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, stated that the N100 trillion component of the national GDP is at risk of the crisis developed by currency swap. He believes that the crumbling of business transactions at the distributive trade during the crisis would lower trade and agricultural sectors and cause a negative effect on the manufacturing value chain and the services industry. He further said that any policy measure that would negatively impact sectors that ensure resilience of the Nigerian economy should be avoided.
APC hoards new notes to buy votes during election – PDP.
On another note, the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba, accused APC governors of hoarding the new naira notes in facilities owned by their party supporters in Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Imo, Kaduna and other states in the country to buy votes in the forthcoming presidential election. He further asserted that it was inhumane for APC leaders to watch citizens sleep at ATM stands, fight at bank halls and ATM centers for cash as they are stranded to cater for basic daily needs.
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New naira policy disrupts Nigerian economy – Poor circulation of new notes has thrown Nigerians into unnecessary hardships. – Express your point of view.
The new monetary policy initiated by the federal government has really affected the country economy because Nigeria economy depends mainly on cash and which is not good for the country economy but the country will get over it in a short time and benefit a lot from it in the end.
Due to the short circulation of the new naira note as put people in hardship and people are suffering ,having money in account but unable to get cash to spend it is unfair it also disturb our economy our economy is not flowing well since the short of new naira note happen
The governors have collectively issued a warning about the potential for the country to experience a recession as a direct result of the economic damage caused by the lack of availability of Naira notes.
Good that they made an appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank of Nigeria, pleading with them not to ignore the hardship that has been caused to Nigerians as a result of the new policy regarding the naira.
In an effort to alleviate the misery that is plaguing the nation, the Council of State has requested that the Central Bank of Nigeria either produce additional new naira notes or reissue the older ones.
Insane that they took the federal government all the way to the Supreme Court in order to challenge the validity of the new naira policy date, which they cited as the primary cause of the difficulties experienced by Nigerians.
The statistics provided by the CBN does not support the CBN’s contention that there have been massive increases in the amount of cash in circulation.
Concerns have been raised concerning the CBN’s regard for Nigerians’ right to spend their own lawfully obtained money as they see fit, as this action raises problems in that regard.
Experts in the economy and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) expressed alarm over the shortage of the new naira banknotes.
Micro, small, and medium-sized businesses are the ones that will be impacted by the cash swap and the new policy the most.
New naira policy disrupts Nigerian economy. This is what happen when we select bad government to lead us, government without plan, government that doesn’t listen to it citizens. Election is closer we need try another party since PDP and APC has failed us. Other parties are there. Let vote wisely this time
It is important to steer clear of any policy measures that could have a detrimental effect on the economic pillars that keep the Nigerian economy strong.
For APC officials, it was terrible to see individuals sleeping at ATM stands and brawling for cash at bank halls and ATM centers as they were left unable to provide for their most basic requirements.
More new naira notes must be produced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, or the older notes must be reissued. Actually, I have no clue who is in charge in Nigeria. It’s unfortunate that the public are bearing the brunt of the politicians’ gamesmanship.
There is need for quick methods to address the cash hiccups challenging the economy. It is very important.
The new naira policy might have disrupted the economy, but it has helped to also solve some problems. We can just ensure we help to make the policy more implementable. The CBN should ensure the new notes are in circulation.
The new naira policy might have disrupted the economy, but it has helped to also solve some problems. We can just ensure we help to make the policy more implementable.
This new bank policy on the new naira note has disrupts Nigeria economy and cause untold hardship. The truth is that this money was bought over by the rich and politicians that is why is in poor circulation.
The new CBN policy on new naira note which was meant to curb vote buying only ended up distrupting the country even leading to the death of some protestants. The new naira that was meant to act as a correction measure only ended in the hands of the politicians and rich throwing the country into unnecessary hardship.
The naira redesign has caused more harm than good. The supposed purpose can’t even manifest at the moment. Considering how much mayhem, discomfort and frustration it has brought, something should be done asap.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has been asked by the Council of State to either print more new naira notes or reissue the older ones in order to lessen the suffering that is afflicting the country.