CBN Directs Banks to Dispense and Receive Old N200, N500 and N1000 Notes

Central Bank of Nigeria has directed commercial banks to dispense and receive old naira notes as legal tender across the country.

The apex bank through its Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin stated this in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement “In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterized the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as a regulator, Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023.

“Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers’ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till December 31, 2023.

“Consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly.”

Recall that the highest court of the land had on March 3 ordered that old N200, N500, and N1000 notes remain valid till December 31, 2023. This was after 16 states of the Federation instituted a suit to challenge the legality or otherwise of the introduction of the policy.