Currency Swap: President Buhari Approves Apex Bank Extension Of Deadline

By Timothy Choji, Katsina 

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a 10-day extension of the deadline for the swapping of currency to new notes.

The new deadline is now February 10.

Nigeria's Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this to State House Correspondents in Daura, Katsina State.

Emefiele, who was in Daura on Sunday morning, had a closed door meeting with President Buhari, where he obtained the approval.

He said Nigerians, who are yet to change their naira notes from the old to new ones, now have an opportunity to do so. 

The apex bank's Governor cautioned that people must utilize the opportunity because the deadline will not be extended again. 

The Central Bank had last year introduced redesigned 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes and gave a deadline of 31st January, 2023 for swapping of the notes.

However, citizens have not had it easy obtaining the new notes from commercial banks, leading to public outcry and appeals for the deadline to be extended.