The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has launched a nationwide campaign against the abuse and hoarding of Naira as the yuletide season approaches.

The Deputy Governor (Operations), Mr Bala Bello, represented by the Director of Currency Operations and Branch Management, Dr Adetona Adedeji, while speaking at the flag-off in Abuja, called for attitudinal change among Nigerians, stressing that collective action was required to safeguard the nation’s currency.

With the theme “Naira Our Pride: Handle with Care,” Mr. Bello condemned practices such as spraying the Naira at social events, folding, tearing, mutilating, or writing on it. He said such actions not only diminish the dignity of the national symbol but also increase the cost of printing and replacement.

“The Naira is more than a means of payment. It represents our national pride, our sovereignty, and our shared destiny as a people. Careless practices undermine its integrity and weaken confidence in our national currency,” Bello said.

According to him, the campaign was not solely a CBN initiative but a call to action for all stakeholders, including banks, transport unions, traders, market leaders, schools, religious organizations, civil society, and the media.

He added that banks must continue to educate customers and ensure fit notes are in circulation, while markets and transport operators should discourage rejection and abuse of Naira notes.

On her part, the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hakama Sidi Ali, said the bank remains committed to ensuring the availability of clean notes in line with its Clean Note Policy, as enshrined in the CBN Act of 2007.

She urged Nigerians to respect the Naira, describing it as a critical symbol of national identity.