CBN BANS FOREIGN MONEY FOR BUSINESS

CBN BANS FOREIGN MONEY FOR BUSINESS


Credits -onlinenigeria.com

 “The CBN raised concerns over the increasing
use of foreign currency as a medium of exchange in Nigeria and warned that
persons caught in the illegal act risk a six month jail term upon conviction.”
 – Punch Newspaper, 8th April, 2015.
A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine mentioned
that there are a number of schools in Nigeria who insist that the school fees
of wards/students should be paid in dollars, there are also several property
merchants especially on the Lagos Island who insist that rents should also be
paid in dollars. No matter how cool this might sound, it’s an act that has
negative consequences for the Nigerian Naira and in extension the Nigerian
economy.

This is also the reason why CBN is bursting people
 the Central Bank of Nigeria has
issued a stern warning to all business operators in Nigeria that the use of the
US Dollar as a medium of exchange in Nigeria should be totally stopped and this
warning comes at the heels of the rise in exchange rate between Nigerian Naira
and the Dollar. By its natural duties, the principal objects of the Central
Bank of Nigeria as contained in the CBN Act 2007 is to –
(a) ensure monetary and price stability;
(b) issue legal tender currency in Nigeria;
(c) maintain external reserves to safeguard the
international value of the legal tender   currency;
(d)promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; and
(e)Act as  banker
and provide economic and financial advice to the Federal Government
Though the directive comes
strongly form the CBN due its bid to regulate the current dollar price, it
should be noted that by virtue of the 2007 CBN Act, it is actually a crime as
the law provides that any
person who refuses to
accept the Naira as a means of payment is guilty of an offence and liable on
conviction to a fine of N50,000 or 6 months imprisonment. What about people
that share dollars though?

Adedunmade Onibokun, Esq
@adedunmade/twitter