The Digest:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly classified the popular Valentine's Day gift of "money bouquets"—arrangements of folded naira notes—as an act of naira abuse, punishable by a minimum of six months imprisonment or a ₦50,000 fine. The prohibition extends the bank's enforcement against spraying, squeezing, selling, and defacing the national currency under the CBN Act. Nigerians have been urged to protect the naira and report violations, with enforcement agencies said to be stepping up actions nationwide. The announcement, coming just days before Valentine's Day, has sparked a wave of social media reactions, with many lamenting the timing and impact on romantic traditions.
Key Points:
- The ban disrupts a popular Valentine's Day tradition, forcing lovers to seek alternative gift expressions.
- It reinforces the CBN's currency preservation mandate but at the expense of a culturally embedded romantic gesture.
- Prospective gift-givers face legal jeopardy, while florists and artisans may lose seasonal revenue.
- The timing, days before February 14, has been widely criticized as insensitive and poorly communicated.
- Social media reactions reflect a mix of humour, frustration, and resignation over the sudden prohibition.
Lovers and gift vendors now face a choice between compliance and creative alternatives, as enforcement timelines remain unclear.
Sources: CBN Act, Social Media/X
