The Central Bank of Nigeria has debunked a purported press release shared on the Instagram page of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari.
The release that was posted on Aisha’s page on Tuesday claimed that the old N500 and N1000 notes should continue to be valid for payment for the next 70 days, or until May 1, 2023.
The CBN released a different statement disputing the information and referring to Aisha’s post as “fake news.”
The statement read in part, “CBN Sticks to Presidential Directive to Reissue only 200 Naira Old Banknotes. The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to a FAKE PRESS RELEASE purported to have emanated from the Bank to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-issuance and release of old N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, and in line with Mr. President’s broadcast of February 16, 2023, the CBN has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculates the old N200 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023.
“Members of the public should therefore disregard any message and/or information not formally released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on this subject.”
During the time of filing in this report, the ‘fake’ release was still on Aisha Buhari’s account.