“Regular ₦100 Note Remains Valid, Stop Rejecting It’ – CBN
By Patience Ikpeme
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned members of the public, business owners, and banks across the country to stop rejecting the standard 100 Naira banknote.
The apex bank gave this warning following reports that many people are refusing to accept the money because they believe it is no longer a legal tender.
In a press statement signed on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, the central bank cleared up the confusion surrounding the currency.
The bank explained that both the special commemorative 100 Naira note—which was printed years ago to celebrate Nigeria’s centenary—and the regular, older 100 Naira note are fully valid and must be used for buying and selling anywhere in the country.
According to the CBN, the special centenary note was never meant to chase the old regular note out of circulation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN hereby reiterates that both the commemorative 100 banknote and the standard 100 banknote remain legal tender in Nigeria and must be accepted for all transactions nationwide,” the statement read adding that “the commemorative 100 banknote, which was introduced to mark Nigeria’s centenary, did not replace the existing standard 100 banknote.”
The apex bank seriously warned individuals, shop owners, and financial institutions to stop turning away the regular 100 Naira note. The bank stated that rejecting a legal currency printed by the government is a direct violation of the CBN Act, and it badly hurts the public’s trust in the Naira.
The regulatory body made it clear that it will punish anyone caught rejecting the money. “The Bank will not hesitate to apply appropriate enforcement measures against any person or entity found to be in breach,” the CBN warned.
The central bank added that its main focus is to protect the value of the Naira, make sure Nigerians can trust the money in their hands, and ensure that cash flows smoothly without hitches across every state.
The statement advised everyday Nigerians to confidently accept and use all banknotes that have been legally printed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The bank also urged anyone who needs more clarification or has questions to reach out to the CBN through its official communication channels.
