Mohammed Shosanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)has denied claims in some quarters that it’s contemplating the withdrawal of the recently redesigned N1000, N500 and N200 currency banknotes from circulation.
Isa AbdulMumim PhD,Acting Director, Corporate Communication,who conveyed this in a statement on Sunday,said such speculation is unfounded and a ploy by some interests to cause panic among members of the public.
According to him,the new and old currency notes have been circulating side by side just as the bank has been taking delivery of a good quantity of the redesigned bank notes from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) Limited.
He added:”Furthermore, we are committed to supplying the approved indent for the smooth running ofthe economy. We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard any report suggesting a phase-out of the redesigned currency.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the redesigned and old notes will continue to be accepted as legal tender. They will circulate side-by-side for transactions ahead of the December 31, 2023
deadline, when the old N1000, N500 and N200 banknotes will eventually be phased out.Please be guided accordingly”.