The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the naira is one of the strongest currencies in the world, urging Nigerians to handle with integrity.

The CBN said this when it hosted its flagship sensitisation event, the CBN Fair, in Lagos, in a bid to reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s currency and deepen financial inclusion, spotlighting the importance of preserving the dignity of the naira and embracing alternative payment channels.

At the heart of the campaign was Paul Onuoha, a senior official from the CBN’s Currency Operations Department, who led an interactive session on identifying counterfeit notes and understanding the security features embedded in the naira. His presentation underscored the resilience of Nigeria’s currency against forgery.

“Naira is one of the strongest currencies in the world when it comes to security features,” Onuoha said, as he demonstrated practical techniques for spotting fake notes.

The fair, themed “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development”, brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders including entrepreneurs, fintech innovators, financial institutions, market leaders, students, and youth groups.

Hakama Sidi-Ali, Acting Director of the CBN’s Corporate Communications Department, emphasized the bank’s commitment to engaging directly with the public on policies that promote sustainable growth and monetary stability.

“We also urge you to preserve the dignity of our currency by avoiding abuse. Do not spray, hawk, mutilate, or counterfeit the naira. Respect and keep it clean,” she said.

Sidi-Ali noted that under the leadership of Governor Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN remains focused on stimulating productivity, expanding financial access, and maintaining price stability.