By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has cautioned Nigerians, particularly traders, against spraying, hawking, and mutilating the Naira.
Cardoso, represented by the Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, gave the warning on Thursday at the CBN Fair held at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna.
He explained that the fair was designed to engage the public on CBN policies aimed at fostering financial inclusion, sustainable economic growth, and price stability.
With the theme, “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development,” the apex bank said the initiative was targeted at supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other critical sectors.
“I encourage you to respect and keep the Naira clean. Do not spray, hawk, mutilate, or counterfeit the Naira. It is our critical national symbol,” Cardoso said.
According to him, the engagement seeks to sensitize Nigerians on how CBN policies impact their daily lives, with presentations covering payment system innovations, microfinance activities, developments in the foreign exchange market, consumer protection, and Naira management.
The CBN Governor reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to stimulating productivity, deepening financial inclusion, and ensuring monetary and price stability.
“These efforts have already begun yielding results, including increased inflows of foreign investment, positive trade balances, and remarkable progress in financial inclusion,” he added.