Kudos, knocks On Buhari, As CBN Unveils New Naira Notes

The unveiling of the newly designed Naira notes marks the first time in 19 years that Nigeria will be redesigning its currency notes.

At a briefing after the ceremony, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele debunked insinuations that the early unveiling of new notes is a means to target any Nigerian. He appealed to members of the public that there is no need to perpetuate any such information.

According to him, the CBN will intensify the monitoring process and interrogate the process of withdrawals, adding that the new notes would go into circulation before the December 15, 2022, date earlier stated by the central bank.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians have expressed their views to the changes made. Below are some of the comments:

For Prof Bongo Adi, Professor of Economics at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, “they claimed it would curb inflation, counterfeiting, kidnapping for ransom etc. Surely, it would help in the last two. But what a wasteful way to such a simple thing.

“With regards to inflation, except they are changing the theories of economics, currency design is never one of the drivers of inflation in an economy,” he said.

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, in a tweet said, “If it’s Naira color, the CBN should have just engage Snapchat.”

A Facebook user, Tony Eboechina said, “Apart from security upgrades it’s a waste of taxpayers money. This can be done while printing new notes and save the billions of naira used changing colors.”

Jerry Simon wrote, “Green, red and blue …. easy for coded description. Nothing much changed joor. For me, it is the intent behind the redesign.”

Balarabe Abubakar Hussaini said, “Well, it’s a welcome development, and kudos to the C.B.N. However, this cannot be tagged as “redesign currency” preferably as “renovated currency” because all the design features in the old currency are present in the so-called new currency except the color shade that was changed.”

Nuruddeen Dankaka Muhammad said, “I personally like that #500 naira note. I pray this meet the intent of the change.”

A Twitter user, @ameennimbe wrote: “The same thing was done in 1983. Color changes has helped the military government of Muhammad Buhari (God bless the president) and Tunde Idiagbon (Rahtullah) against corruption. This time, it will surely help the poor conditions of the Nigerian People. God bless Nigeria!”

Other Reactions

@MusaDattiAhmed, “Yes is a good idea we want to restore the value of our money.”

@Binzaranda said, “If the aim of the redesigned will be achieved, I’m okay. But the new notes are not in any way better than the old ones from the pictural views.”

@Mr_Moo1 wrote, “They just used Snap Chat filters to edit the colors on Naira Note, print them and confuse the Masses that they redesigned the Naira note.”

@Abdulgafar_kb: “Well i was expecting a whole new level of the design but they just ended up changing the color…that’s the only difference between it and the usual notes.”

Oladejo Sunday wrote, “Only GOD ALMIGHTY can deliver and heal Nigeria from these present Leaders.”