Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje sparked confusion on Wednesday when traders and commercial tricycle operators began rejecting the old naira notes, defying the governor’s earlier threat. The day before, the Kano State Government had warned that it would not hesitate to revoke the operational licences of major business owners or take action against anyone who refused to accept the old notes as a means of transaction.
A cross‑section of tricycle operators told The Reporter that their decision to reject the old notes was influenced by commercial banks in the city, which had also stopped accepting them. One operator, identified as Lawan, explained that he stopped collecting the old notes from passengers because he was unsure whether his boss—the tricycle owner—would accept them after work hours. “I give a daily balance of N2,500 to my boss. So, with the uncertainty surrounding the old naira notes, one has to be careful in accepting them,” he said.
Another operator, who wished to remain anonymous, said he ceased accepting the old notes on Tuesday after most of his passengers rejected them when he tried to give change. The new development has left many commuters without the lower denominations (N100 down to N20) forced to trek. “Once you board a tricycle, the operator will ask you if you have change; otherwise, he will not carry you,” a stranded passenger at Kwanar Maggi junction told our reporter. He added that it has become mandatory for commuters to have lower‑denomination naira before boarding, noting, “If you must board an Adaidaita (tricycle), you must have the lower denomination because they are not affected by the redesign.”
Traders in the ancient city are facing a similar situation, as many have also stopped accepting the old notes due to the uncertainty surrounding their validity.
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