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Nigeria Passes ‘National Blockchain Policy,’ Industry Player Says Central Bank Unlikely to Lift Crypto Ban
5.5.2023
The Nigerian Federal government said on May 3 it had passed what it called the “national blockchain policy.” The Nigerian minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, said the new policy is a product of consultations with 56 institutions and personalities. Lucky Uwakwe...
Report: Nigeria-China Currency Swap Agreement Fails to Ease Pressure on the Naira
16.4.2023
Nigerian economic experts have said the country’s five-year-old currency swap agreement with China has not eased the pressure against the Nigerian currency. According to one expert, implementation of the swap arrangement is being held back by the size of the trade imbalance between Nigeria...
US Banking Crisis: Nigerian Banks Not Directly Exposed to SVB Says Central Bank Governor
25.3.2023
A recent review of Nigerian banks’ bond portfolios showed that the institutions were not directly exposed to Silicon Valley Bank, the governor of the country’s central bank has said. In addition, the governor said the Central Bank of Nigeria’s stringent guidelines help to create...
After Presidential Rebuke, Nigeria’s Central Bank Says Demonetized Naira Banknotes Still Legal Tender
16.3.2023
The Nigerian central bank has said the recently demonetized ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 banknotes will remain legal tender until Dec. 31, 2023. The central bank statement, which reaffirms a Supreme Court ruling that extended the lifespan of the demonetized naira banknotes, followed a rebuke of the CBN...
Nigerian Central Bank Unveils Open Banking Guidelines
12.3.2023
The Nigerian central bank recently said it had issued operational guidelines for open banking in Nigeria which are expected to enhance efficiency and access to financial services. According to the central bank, some of the guidelines’ objectives include ensuring “consistency and security...
Nigerian Banks Resume Dispensing Recently Demonetized Naira Banknotes
11.3.2023
According to local reports, Nigerian financial institutions have begun abiding by a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s demonetization of the 1,000, 500 and 100-naira banknotes. According to the court, Nigerian residents will continue to use...
Nigerian Cash Crisis: Benue State Residents Resort to Barter Trade
1.3.2023
Faced with cash shortages caused by the central bank’s currency policies, traders in the Nigerian state of Benue have reportedly resorted to barter trading. Traders from the state have implored the Nigerian government to consider rescinding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign...
Moody’s Says Forex Shortages May Force Nigerian Central Bank to Delay Repaying Local Banks
17.2.2023
The persistent scarcity of foreign exchange may force the Nigerian central bank to delay repaying the $10.4 billion owed to local banks, analysts at Moody’s Investors Service have concluded. The central bank’s failure to pay its debts on time will likely force the affected financial...
Nigerian President Barred From Extending Old Naira Banknote Demonetization Deadline
9.2.2023
With just a few days left before the old naira banknotes are demonetized on Feb. 10 as scheduled, a court in Nigeria has blocked the country’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, and the central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, from further extending the deadline. Opponents of the central...
Nigerian Banks Still Distributing Old Naira Banknotes as Demonetization Date Approaches
24.1.2023
With just a few days left before old Nigerian naira banknotes are removed from circulation, some banks have accused the Central Bank of Nigeria of failing to distribute enough new banknotes. Despite growing pressure for it to extend the period for returning the old notes, the central bank insists...
Report: Nigeria Debt Management Office’s $48.8 Billion Debt Contravenes the Law Says Expert
15.1.2023
The Nigerian Debt Management Office (DMO) contravened the law when its borrowings exceeded the set limit which is equivalent to $2.2 billion, Adetilewa Adebajo, an international financial markets expert has reportedly said. Adebajo also suggested that the Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin...
New Nigerian Central Bank Document Discusses Regulation of Stablecoins and ICOs
10.1.2023
According to a recently unveiled document, the Nigerian central bank will in the future be open to developing a regulatory framework for potential implementations of stablecoins. The document also discusses the regulation of initial coin offerings (ICOs) and how these can become “a new way...
Report: Nigeria to Stop Cash Withdrawals From Government Accounts
9.1.2023
From the start of March, Nigerian public officials will be barred from withdrawing cash from government bank accounts, the head of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit reportedly said. Public officials that want to be exempted from this new regulation will have to obtain a waiver from...
Report: Nigerian Central Bank Spent Over $1.8 Billion Managing Local Currency
30.12.2022
During her appearance before Nigerian lawmakers, Aisha Ahmad, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), told lawmakers that out of the nearly $1.8 billion used to manage the local currency, over 90% of this total was reportedly used to fund expenses associated with the production...
Report: Nigerian Security Agency Seeks to Arrest Central Bank Governor on Charges of Funding Terrorists
27.12.2022
The Nigerian security agency, the Department of State Services (DSS), has reportedly instructed its operatives to arrest the Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele as soon as he is seen in public. The DSS is still seeking to apprehend Emefiele despite losing its bid to have a Nigerian...
Nigerian Central Bank Increases Cash Withdrawal Limits After Receiving ‘Feedback From Stakeholders’
23.12.2022
Barely a month after announcing the restricting of cash withdrawals to under $50 per week, the Central Bank of Nigeria said on Dec. 21 that individuals will be able to withdraw an equivalent of $1,120 per week starting on Jan. 9, 2023. The central bank said individuals and corporate organizations...
Report: Nigerian Lawmakers Set to Pass Law That Diminishes Central Bank Influence on Crypto
20.12.2022
Nigeria is expected to designate cryptocurrency as capital for investment if the country’s House of Representatives votes to approve a bill that seeks to amend the Investments and Securities Act of 2007, a report has said. A Nigerian lawmaker, Babangida Ibrahim, suggested that the Central...
Nigeria Announces New Cash Withdrawal Restrictions — ATMs Limited to Less Than $44 per Day
8.12.2022
In a new directive to financial institutions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said individuals can now only withdraw an equivalent of just under $222 per week while corporates can only withdraw cash not exceeding $1,111 during the same period. The new limits, which are in line with...
New Naira Banknotes to Make Monetary Policy More Effective — Nigerian Central Bank Governor
27.11.2022
The Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, has said the newly designed naira banknotes are set to enhance the effectiveness of the organization’s monetary policy and bolster the financial inclusion cause. Forcing Currency Hoarders to Return to the Banking System According to...
‘Cryptocurrencies Like Bitcoin Make Global Commerce Easy’ — Founder of Nigerian Crypto Exchange
26.11.2022
Despite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Feb. 5, 2021 directive that instructed banks to block crypto entities from the financial system, the demand and use of cryptocurrencies have continued to grow. Not even the central bank’s subsequent crackdown on crypto entities it accused...