The Central Bank of Nigeria has reiterated that the old 200, 500, and 1,000 Naira notes will continue to be valid until January 31.
The apex bank has received several requests asking and demanding that it change course and extend the deadline so that Nigerians will have more time to return their old notes to deposit money banks, often known as commercial banks.
The apex bank reiterated on Saturday night via its verified Twitter account that the deadline of January 31, 2023, still stands, despite pressure.
CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele had recently in a told Nigerians asking for the deadline to be extended that such was not possible.
Emefiele had said, “Unfortunately, I don’t have good news for those who feel we should shift the deadline, my apologies,” in the video that was posted.
“The reason is because, just like the president has said more than two occasions and even to some people privately, 100 days is more than enough for anybody who has the old currency to deposit it in the banks. And we took every measure to ensure that all the banks were and are still open to accept deposits.”
CBN’s insurance on the swap deadline on Saturday came as
several Nigerians including the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, earlier in the day urged the apex bank to extend the deadline.