Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Islie: 7:19am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Naira scarcity is biting harder across the country as banks have limited cash withdrawals, findings by Daily Trust have shown. Residents of Lagos, Abuja, Kano,…
Naira scarcity is biting harder across the country as banks have limited cash withdrawals, findings by Daily Trust have shown.
Residents of Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Adamawa and in other parts of the country are expressing concerns over their inability to withdraw huge cash in their banks, raising fears of scarcity as experienced during the naira swap.
This has also affected business transactions in local markets, especially in the northern part of Nigeria where buyers and sellers prefer to deal in cash instead of bank transfers.
Daily Trust had, on November 1, reported that cash scarcity had resurfaced in Borno and Kano states as the December 31 deadline for the use of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes draws nearer.
The report had forced the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explained that “The seeming cash scarcity in some locations is due largely to high volume withdrawals from the CBN branches by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and panic withdrawals by customers from the Automated Teller Machines, ATMs).”
The CBN, through its Director, Corporate Communications, Isa Abdulmumin, added, “While we note the concerns of Nigerians on the availability of cash for financial transactions, we wish to assure the public that there is sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country. The branches of the CBN across the country are also working to ensure the seamless circulation of cash in their respective states of operation.”
The CBN had announced in March that in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court, banknotes remained legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes until December 31.
Last week, the apex bank reassured that both old and new notes remained legal tender and urged Nigerians to continue transacting using them.
“For the avoidance of doubt, while reiterating that there are sufficient banknotes across the country for all normal economic activity, we wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007,” Abdulmumin had said in the statement.
He had added that branches of the CBN across the country had been directed to continue to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to deposit money banks for onward circulation to bank customers.
Scarcity persists
But checks by our reporters across the country revealed serious scarcity of the naira amid reluctance by traders, farmers, among others to release their wares even when prospective buyers are willing to make bank transfers.
At prominent village markets in Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba, lack of cash is affecting businesses.
This is at a time when farmers have harvested their goods and taken them to market hoping to sell.
However, merchants who trooped to such markets from the towns to buy the commodities have been mostly stranded as middlemen scramble to get cash for them.
POS operators in such markets also confirmed shortage of cash.
Traders return home with cattle in Katsina
Anas Nasiru, who visited the Mai’adua Cattle Market on Sunday, said it was tough getting cash to transact businesses.
“Most of the people who brought cattle from the villages for sale were not willing to sell because they want cash, which is not available.
“My cousin had to send cash for me from Kano, which I used to buy cattle. It is the same with many people…In fact, some of the traders went back home with their wares,” he said.
A POS operator in Kongolam, a border town with Niger Republic, said he had run out of cash.
“Some people credited our accounts with millions of naira and they have been on the queue for over weeks, we give them cash in piecemeal. I am not an economist but I have a strong feeling the federal government had mopped up cash from circulation,” he said.
Merchants give rewards for cash in Yobe
In Nguru, Yobe State, grain merchants were reportedly ready to give up to N50,000 in reward for anyone who attracts N1,000,0000 cash to them.
This is in addition to the charges they pay.
A resident of the town who gave his name as Sanusi, said people looking for Sesame seed have thronged to the town.
“Farmers in this part of the country produce a lot of sesame seed and have harvested it. Willing buyers are here but are having challenges getting cash.
“Some middlemen are now making a fortune from the scarcity because they get N50,000 for each facilitation of N1,000,000,” he said.
ATMs dry in Lagos
In Lagos, one of our correspondents, who checked some commercial banks in parts of Ikeja at the weekend, observed that most of the banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) had run out of cash.
This has left many people to resort to patronising Point of Sale (PoS) agents who are also complaining that they could not withdraw sufficient cash from their banks.
At the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), venue of the International Trade Fair in Lagos, some PoS agents confirmed the development to our correspondent.
Simisola Adedeji, the owner of Capricorn Digital Payment Solutions, decried that “It has been tough withdrawing huge volumes of money in banks and what we are hearing is that they want to withdraw the old currency. We only plead that we should not experience the scarcity witnessed during the cash swap because many people lost their lives.”
A Lagos resident, who identified himself simply as Mr. Chukwuemeka, said, “I went to many banks and they were not dispensing money. I went all the way from Ogba to Ikeja at Oba Akran before I was able to withdraw in a bank.”
He stated that many PoS agents had been withdrawing all the cash lodged at various ATMs.
“Immediately the bank loaded money on the ATM, they (POS agents) are the first people to know, they would just use their cards to withdraw the money, that is what most of them normally do.
“I had to trek a long distance, going from one place to another until I got to Oba Akran where I was able to withdraw.”
A Bureau de Change operator in Abuja, Gidado Bala, said, “Although BDCs rarely use physical cash for transfer these days, banks have begun limiting huge cash withdrawals and it may be because of the deadline of December but we don’t know,” he said.
Gidado noted that “BDC operators usually get cash in minimal quantities at the banks.”
A store owner, Chukwu Ani, said he had to limit cash transactions with suppliers as customers rarely come with physical cash and “banks hardly give the required cash withdrawals,”
He added, “We don’t understand the situation and we hope it won’t be the situation of this year where we suffered for cash.”
A grain merchant, Sani Kamba said even though he was able to get some cash with a view to coming to North to buy grains, he was intercepted by law enforcement agents at the airport.
“They carried out an investigation but concluded that we are out for a legitimate business. They checked our accounts and discovered that we deposit and withdraw all the time.
“I pray the federal government does something to address the scarcity,” he said.
A banker, Aliyu Hameed said supply was low, hence the shortage.
On why traders, especially in village markets don’t accept transfers, he said, “Many of them, especially in the North have been short-changed by some unpatriotic elements.
“It has happened several times, especially during the cash crunch in February and March. Some dubious people would make phantom transfers to the traders, especially in the villages and by the time they go to the bank, nothing in their accounts.
“It has also been difficult for such people to lodge complaints in banks because apart from telephone numbers of the people to dupe them, there is nothing to show as evidence,” he said.
POS operators double charges in Kano
In Kano, there are indications that the scarcity of naira notes is getting worse.
Many of the PoS operators in Kano metropolis have doubled their charges when they have the cash to give; while others ration the amounts they give in order to meet demands from customers.
One of them, Mohammed Kutama, said the scarcity is real, but that he goes the extra mile to get the needed cash to meet demands of his customers.
According to him, this comes with extra charges as he is now charging N200 per N10,000 withdrawal as against the previous charge of N100 on the same amount of withdrawal.
Kutama explained that he often gets cash from a filling station his friend is managing and a viewing centre where people usually pay cash.
Nura Umar, who operates a provisions store in Kano, said the naira scarcity was affecting his business.
He said though he was using e-payment platforms for transactions, it took time to go through because of network glitch.
He alleged that the scarcity of cash was as a result of the CBN’s inability to narrow the supply gap.
The story is however different at Hamza Abdullahi’s shop who runs PoS and mobile phone recharge cards business. He told one of our correspondents that he had not increased his charges because he was getting cash payment from recharge cards sales.
Most of the ATMs in some banks located along Zoo Road in Kano were not dispensing cash when one of our correspondents visited.
No customer was sighted at Unity Bank, Jaiz, Taj and Fidelity Banks’ ATMs. Only two customers were seen at a Zenith Bank’s ATM trying their luck.
No cash in Adamawa markets
In Tunno, a village famous for rice paddy in Adamawa State, merchants also struggle for cash to buy the product.
Salihu Aliyu, who visited Tunno, said there was bumper harvest from the farmers and some middlemen are insisting on cash.
“It is actually hunger in the midst of plenty. There are enough rice paddies here to buy but very few of the owners accept bank transfers, most of them prefer cash.
“The government should commission a study on why people, especially in the North, prefer cash transactions.
“For me, I believe there are no banks in many communities, and there is also a low level of education in rural communities,” he said.
Daily Trust reports that there was no update from CBN on the continued cash crunch despite the assurance that both old and new notes remain legal tender. https://dailytrust.com/naira-scarcity-worsens-as-banks-limit-withdrawals-atms-run-dry/ 5 Likes 2 Shares
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Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by vincenteger: 7:22am On Nov 14, 2023 |
We play too much in this country. From constant inflation to naira scarcity.
They should just sell the country 131 Likes 11 Shares |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Cassandraloius: 7:24am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Not again! NIGERIA is already filled with hardship, they should make this money available. 56 Likes 7 Shares |
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Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by GanagiBitrus: 7:28am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Hope we don't go back to that most traumatic era of buying Naira with Naira again. 89 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by ariesbull: 7:28am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Wait when they the confused Ronuists wake up...they will blame Obi
Bunch of idiots 123 Likes 16 Shares |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by IVORY2009(m): 7:29am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Na wa |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Tochi3(m): 7:30am On Nov 14, 2023 |
I thought Emiefele is in Prison ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) ..so after blaming Emiefele for naira scarcity while allowing their muslim Master disaster to go chill in Daura...this is what the emilokans have to offer ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) Where are those blaming Emiefele...come & see o, your emilokan slave ti lu le o ..will the current CBN Governor also be arrested ![](/faces/huh.png) 96 Likes 3 Shares
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Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by mcbreeze: 7:31am On Nov 14, 2023 |
These guys just have one agenda, to punish Nigerians. What did we do to deserve all this punishment? 72 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Ikaeniyan0: 7:33am On Nov 14, 2023 |
I only hear of this cash scarcity in Lagos on nairaland 29 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by NobleSeed(m): 7:36am On Nov 14, 2023 |
if at this point you are still supporting this evil Government, even God no fit rescue your life again otilo.. December never reach no money oh see what's happening ? ![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) Brace up!!! Brace up!!!! And I say again Brace up!! I guess the agbado people that have this card can start using it.... 😂 😂 Limitless withdrawal, doesn't matter if there is cash on the ATM or not, always active 24/7 12 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Okortor: 7:36am On Nov 14, 2023 |
With all honesty, the country is getting unbearable even for everyone, please do whatever you can to survive and make more money as long as it doesn't involve stealing or fraudulent act Because it's obvious December might be more terrible for Nigerians.
May God help us all......AMEN 9 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by ATEAMS: 7:36am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Not cool |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Seequadry(m): 7:37am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Ahahaha ahaha...... Una don start to dey hide money for house again.... 4 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by olisefom: 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
What is this again?
On top all the rogbodiyan in the land? 8 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by spencekat(m): 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
They don start again. Na Eme dey go blame this time again? 7 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by yesloaded: 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Nothing like cash scarcity here I'm Ibadan 9 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by MrPOTUS: 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) The word Tinubu should be synonymous to hardship. Since this vegetable came to power, shege has been hitting Nigerians left and right. 19 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by xristos(m): 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Are people still hoarding naira cash again??🤷🏼♀️
But who cursed this country na..
Check d sig below.. 4 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by owem19(m): 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Renewed shege 6 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by FitCorper: 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Could this be the final master stroke of the great Jagaban. As we all know Scarcity causes increase in value of any product. Could this be the same for Naira? God bless Nigeria 1 Like |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by peacettw: 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Lack of trust in the system. Quite sad 2 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by yinkeys(m): 7:38am On Nov 14, 2023 |
And they think this will increase its value ![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by Olachase(m): 7:39am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Coolsperm: Local Yoruba Muslims will surely blame ipob for this oga you need to be very careful because you are abusing two things here 1, Yorubas as a Tribes 2 Muslim as a religion Pls take note of this and stop displaying your foolishness in public ✌️✌️ 10 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by nkemoma(m): 7:39am On Nov 14, 2023 |
GBola doesn't give a flying fxxxk about what is going on in the zoo..
He has achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming president..
His gbegiri sipping brothers don't know how to occupy Ojota again..
Ndi Ara.. 19 Likes 1 Share |
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Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by ManishSmith(m): 7:39am On Nov 14, 2023 |
E don set ooo 1 Like |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by OgbeniOja1: 7:40am On Nov 14, 2023 |
Tinubu you do this one 4 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by OgbeniOja1: 7:40am On Nov 14, 2023 |
A repeat of Buharis era. This party has a narc for failure. Christmas never reach ooo. Sadly, when we tell them their president isn't any better they come for us. With all the signs one should know Tinubu and his ministers no be am except a few. Like someone once said. Death of some political elites, is the only thing that can save Nigeria 13 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by sonofanarchy(m): 7:40am On Nov 14, 2023 |
If this happens, there's going to be serious problem, Nigerians are already frustrated this will be the height of this. 2 Likes |
Re: Naira Scarcity Worsens As Banks Limit Withdrawals, ATMs Run Dry by mannobi(m): 7:40am On Nov 14, 2023 |
The problems Buhari and Emefiele created are still here with us |