Family Rejects Old Naira Note Brought As Bride Price

A family in the Gbako LGA of Niger State has insisted that a wannabe bridegroom take back the old N1,000 and N500 bills he offered as the bride price.

According to the Daily Trust, the family of the suitor gave the family of the woman an undisclosed sum as bride price and money for other wedding-related expenses.

Although the wedding was not postponed, the girl’s guardians claimed that they were still in the process of preparing for the event and that they lacked a bank account where they could deposit the money, which is why they requested new currency.

They further stated that they made the demand due to the January 31 CBN deadline.

A family member of the suitor said; “We took money to the family of the girl we want to marry. They called me on Sunday to come and take the old currency notes back pending when we have the new naira notes. They said they don’t have anywhere to change the old notes. So, I want to take it to the bank pending when we get the new notes.”

The old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes will continue to be valid until January 31st, according to CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, and this date won’t be changed for any reason.

Emefiele made this announcement after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the apex bank on January 24 in Abuja.

He said, “I must say that unfortunately, I don’t have good news for those who feel we should shift the deadline, my apologies.

The reason is because 90 days (we feel it’s 100 days) should be enough for those who have the old currency to deposit it to the banks.”

Many Nigerians have expressed concern about the three new naira notes’ delayed circulation as the January 31st deadline draws near, but the apex bank has reaffirmed that the deadline still stands.