The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed as fake circulating images of a purported N5,000 banknote featuring President Bola Tinubu. The images, which claimed to show a sample of the new currency, spread rapidly on social media, sparking debate among Nigerians over their authenticity.
In response, the CBN issued a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, warning the public that the content was fabricated. “This content is fake. Let the public be guided,” the bank stated, urging citizens to disregard the misleading images.
The controversy is not the first of its kind. In 2025, the CBN also refuted claims that it had introduced N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes to ease cash transactions, describing those reports as false.
The spread of such misinformation highlights the challenges of curbing fake news in Nigeria’s digital space, particularly regarding sensitive economic matters like currency design and monetary policy. The CBN has consistently emphasized the importance of relying on official channels for accurate information to prevent public confusion and maintain trust in the country’s financial system.
