The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday drew the attention of Nigerians to a fake news making the rounds that it has authorised old 500, 1000 naira notes to be recognised as legal tender up until May 1, 2023.
Reacting to a circular, purportedly by the apex bank, it noted that it was fake news, noting that, only the reissue and recirculate of the old N200 banknotes will be accepted.
“The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some fake and unauthorized messages quoting the CBN as having authorized the Deposit Money Banks to collect the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes,” a statement by Osita Nwanisobi, CBN director, Corporate Communications Department said on February 17.
“For the avoidance of doubt, and in line with Mr. President’s broadcast of February 16, 2023, the CBN has been directed to only reissue and recirculate the old N200 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023.
“Members of the public should therefore disregard any message and/or information not formally released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on this subject.
“Media practitioners are advised to please verify any information from the correct sources before publication.”
PLEASE BE WARY OF FAKE NEWS! pic.twitter.com/EZc6ygua3u
— Central Bank of Nigeria (@cenbank) February 21, 2023
