News
SERAP Drags President Buhari to Court over Old N500, N1,000 Notes Ban
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over “the unlawful directive banning the use of old N500 and N1,000 banknotes, which goes against the interim injunction granted by the Supreme Court that the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes remain legal tender.”
The Supreme Court in a case initially brought by 10 states recently ruled that the old banknotes remain legal tender pending the determination of a motion on notice fixed for February 22. The deadline for the swap of the old notes expired February 10.
However, Buhari in a national broadcast last week directed the CBN to recirculate only the old N200 banknotes, thereby overruling the Supreme Court and banning the use of old N500 and N1,000 notes in the country.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/233/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether President Buhari’s directive banning the N500 and N1,000 banknotes is not inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional duties to obey decisions of the Supreme Court and oath of office.”
SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that President Buhari’s directive banning the use of old N500 and N1,000 banknotes is a fundamental breach of section 287(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and his constitutional oath of office, and therefore unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void.”
Joined in the suit as Defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
SERAP is seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining President Buhari, the CBN and Mr Malami, their agents or privies from further enforcing the presidential directive banning the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “Upholding the rule of law is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. President Buhari and other public officials and authorities have a binding legal responsibility to strictly comply with the rule of law and obey the decisions by the Supreme Court, and all other courts.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The directive to ban the use of N500 and N1000 banknotes, contrary to the interim injunction by the Supreme Court, is ultra vires – beyond the constitutional and legitimate powers of President Buhari and the government.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, and Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: “It is a very serious matter for anyone to flout a positive order of a court.”
“President Buhari’s directive undermines the authority and independence of the judiciary, which is an underlying constitutional principle intended to ensure that government is conducted according to law, and to prevent the arbitrary exercise of powers or discretion by public officials and authorities.”
“An order of Court must be obeyed even if such an order is perverse, until such a time that the order is set aside by a competent court. A flagrant flouting of an order of the court by the executive is an invitation to anarchy.”
“The rule of law makes all government officials, including the President and other officials, answerable for their acts in the ordinary courts. The law must apply to everybody; nobody is above the law.”
“Section 281(1) of the Nigerian Constitution provides that, ‘the decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court.”
“Under 318 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, ‘decision’ means in relation to a court, any determination of that court and includes judgement decree, order, conviction, sentence or recommendation.”
“It is the duty of the government to allow the law to take its course or allow the legal and judicial process to run its full course.”
“The directive by President Buhari to ban the use of the old N500 and N1000 banknotes can have no other interpretation than the show of intention to pre-empt the final decision of the Supreme Court in this case.”
“The courts expect the utmost respect of the law from the government itself which rules by the law.”
“The rule of law is essential in a constitutional democracy such as we have in this country for the protection of the rights of citizens and for checking arbitrary use of power by the executive or its agencies.”
“It is a necessary implication of the rule of law that, except where the law gives a discretion to a public functionary, he can only act in accordance with the law, as to do otherwise may enthrone arbitrariness.”
“The Defendants are public officers who have sworn the constitutional oath office to perform their respective duties in the interest of the Nigerian citizens.”
“This suit is not challenging the statutory power of the Central Bank of Nigeria, acting on the directive of the President, to change the currency and denomination banknotes in Nigeria.”
“Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the Defendants will continue to violate constitutional provisions and disobey the order of the Supreme Court as implied by the directive of the President in his address to the nation on 16 February, 2023.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
The IgniteHer Bootcamp, a flagship initiative by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), concluded successfully on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Over the course of five impactful days, the program empowered 90 female entrepreneurs with essential knowledge, skills, and networks to build and scale successful businesses. Through expert-led sessions and hands-on learning, participants gained practical insights into business development, financial management, and digital transformation.
The IgniteHer Bootcamp was specifically designed to foster digital literacy, market opportunities, and the use of technology while addressing systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in entrepreneurship.
It aimed to bridge the gender gap in business and technology, equip women with critical business knowledge in financial management, business planning, and sustainability, provide access to mentorship opportunities and industry experts to support business growth. Each day of the bootcamp delivered high-impact value, ensuring participants left with actionable strategies to strengthen their entrepreneurial journey.
The first day focused on understanding gender disparity in business. Participants explored systemic barriers limiting women in entrepreneurship, including funding gaps and societal biases, while gaining strategies to overcome these challenges.
The second day delved into the fundamentals of a business plan, break-even business analysis, and the Lean Business Model Canvas, along with a practical session on setting SMART goals, enabling participants to develop structured business plans.
On the third day, the focus was on digital literacy, the use of cloud storage, online communication, internet safety, and human resource and financial management. In addition, there were practical sessions on the use of digital tools for content creation, bookkeeping, and business management.
The fourth day explored digital transformation and business growth, where entrepreneurs learned how to leverage technology and artificial intelligence to scale their businesses, covering digital branding, digital marketing, and essential digital tools for operational efficiency.
The final day featured a panel discussion with industry experts—a business hub manager, an entrepreneur, and a venture capitalist—moderated by an ecosystem accelerator who shared insights on business growth, funding opportunities, and overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.
The session concluded with an open discussion, allowing participants to reflect on their learning and plan their next steps. The bootcamp was highly interactive, with participants engaging in discussions, practical exercises, and real-world case studies.
Many participants shared their key learnings on LinkedIn and other platforms, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact.
One participant, Imaobong Edukere, shared her experience, stating: “The IgniteHer Bootcamp has been an incredibly transformative experience for me.
It’s my first time being in a strong network of like-minded women entrepreneurs and drinking from their knowledge… I now feel more prepared to implement what I’ve learned and make a lasting impact in society.
Thank you, NITDA and JICA, for this valuable growth, timely support, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—I have just been IGNITED!” Another participant, Hadiza Isah Mohammed, wrote: “Hello, good morning everyone. This is one of the most inspirational bootcamps I’ve ever attended. I was at the point of dropping my dreams because everything seemed not to work, but I’ve been ignited and ready to continue my journey. Kudos to the organizers.”
The initiative fostered a strong network of women entrepreneurs, promoting mentorship and long-term collaboration. The session ended with a vote of thanks from the Special Assistant to the Director General of NITDA, stressing the open opportunity for a tour to Japan for select businesses and startups who will have the opportunity to participate in a startup event in Japan scheduled for August 2025.
This event provides a unique opportunity to network and partner with Japanese companies. Participants have been provided a link to apply their learnings and submit a pitch deck or business plan on their respective and prospective companies. Indeed, NITDA is ready to handhold these businesses to make an impact in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on economic growth.
With overwhelmingly positive feedback, the IgniteHer Bootcamp stands as a transformative program, driving progress in bridging the gender gap in business and empowering women to thrive in the digital economy.
Intelsat operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and educational resource provider MaxIQ Space, are expanding efforts to deliver Intelsat’s Africa Space STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Program to schools in four different countries across Africa.
The program, now in its fifth year, aims to increase to a total of 12 schools and expand to include in-person learning for students in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal.
Participants will receive in-person, in-community learning with subject matter experts on Space STEM curriculum mixed with innovative STEM kits, hands-on training, and exclusive resources to integrate space science, sustainability and IoT education into their classrooms.
The newly adapted 2025 program is focused on empowering schools and educators to build a lasting impact on African education systems, ensuring thousands of students gain the skills and inspiration needed to thrive in STEM careers. STEM skills build a future-ready workforce, advancing national development goals and boost technological capabilities.
“As a pioneer in satellite technology, Intelsat remains committed to maximizing its contribution by inspiring the next generation and connecting African students to real-world applications of space technology,” said Rhys Morgan, RVP of the EMEA region for Intelsat.
“With Africa emerging as a key frontier for space infrastructure, it is essential to equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills to drive this transformation. We are honored to play a role in preparing the young generation for this future,” said Judi Sandrock, program manager at MaxIQ Space.
Schools and teachers in the four participating countries are invited to apply now for this fully funded opportunity to bring real-world space education into their classrooms. The deadline for applying is March 31st, 2025.
Konga Health, Nigeria’s leading technology-enabled distributor of quality health and beauty products, is set to engage students across tertiary institutions in a series of skincare consultations, product sampling, and expert-led tutorials to promote skincare education and wellness.
This initiative, which kicks off in March 2025, aims to empower young adults with the knowledge and tools to make informed skincare choices while fostering a culture of self-care and confidence.
The campaign will commence with Lagos State University (LASU) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, followed by Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Other institutions slated to benefit from this initiative include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Specific dates for these institutions will be announced via Konga Health’s social media handles, ensuring students stay informed and prepared to participate.
At the heart of this initiative are panel discussions featuring renowned dermatologists and influential skincare advocates. These sessions will provide students with invaluable insights into skincare best practices, common misconceptions, and the science behind maintaining healthy skin. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage directly with experts, ask questions, and receive personalized advice tailored to their unique skin types and concerns.
In addition to the educational component, Konga Health, a business that boasts an exclusive partnership with L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics brand, will offer free product sampling, allowing students to experience high-quality skincare products firsthand.
This hands-on approach not only enhances learning but also helps participants identify products that work best for their skin. To further sweeten the deal, there will be exciting giveaways of beauty products, giving students the chance to take home premium skincare items.
According to an insider at Konga, this initiative is part of the company’s broader commitment to promoting health and wellness among Nigerians. By targeting students, Konga Health aims to instill lifelong skincare habits early, ensuring that young adults are equipped to prioritize their skin health as they navigate the challenges of academic life and beyond.
This innovative campaign underscores Konga’s dedication to leveraging its platform for impactful, community-driven initiatives. As the program rolls out across campuses, it promises to be a transformative experience for students, blending education, engagement, and empowerment in a way only Konga can deliver.
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