No going back on cash withdrawal limit policy – Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated there is no plan to reverse the new cash withdrawal limit policy slated for take-off on January 9, 2023.

It however hinted necessary reviews of the details of the policy would be carried out after implementation.

Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, who disclosed these to State House Correspondents in Daura, Katsina State after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, also said the policy is not targeted at any particular person but aimed at developing the economy.

Emefiele said he has the President’s backing for the current monetary redirection efforts, saying Buhari “was very very happy and said we should carry on our work, no need to fear, no need to bother about anybody”.

Responding to questions from Correspondents after his meeting with the President, Emefiele said: “Well, the Senate of the Federal Republic is National Assembly, they are legislative arm of the government and from we brief them about what is happening and about our policies and I’m aware that they have asked for some briefings and we will brief them but I think it’s important for me to say that the cashless policy started in 2012.

Almost three to four occasions we have had to step down the policy because we felt that there is a need for us to prepare ourselves and deepen our payment system infrastructure in Nigeria. Between 2012 and now 2022, almost about 10 years, we believe that a lot of electronic channels have been put in place that will aid people in conducting banking and financial service transactions in Nigeria.”