Godwin Emefiele, CBN Gov.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–The Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) has reassured that it’s committed to protecting unbanked Nigerians and rural communities as it moves to redesign the naira.
This is contained in a statement signed by the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi.
In this regard, the central bank said it was collaborating with relevant agencies and other stakeholders in the financial system in the execution of the redesign policy to particularly ensure that vulnerable citizens are not disenfranchised.
The bank said that some progress had been as there had been increased currency deposits across banks and other financial institutions.
“The CBN remains committed to the seamless implementation of the initiative to ensure the achievement of its objectives to preserve the integrity of the local legal tender by reducing the significant amount of cash outside the banking system and its use in criminal activities, curtail counterfeiting, and promote financial inclusion, amongst others.
It also noted the positive response of the banking public to the policy through increased currency deposits across banks and other financial institutions.
In addition, it noted that the progressive increase in financial access points and alternative banking channels including electronic/internet banking, mobile apps, ATM, Cards/PoS, eNaira, agent banking, among others, may not be evenly distributed across all geopolitical zones and in some rural areas.
