The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has classified “money bouquets” as a form of naira abuse, adding the practice to offences such as spraying, squeezing, selling, and defacing banknotes.
A money bouquet involves folding naira notes to resemble flower petals and arranging them into a bouquet for gifting purposes — a trend that has gained popularity at celebrations and special occasions.
The apex bank made its position known in a flier shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, outlining various forms of naira abuse.
“It is your civic duty to protect the naira. Report naira abuse today,” the CBN stated in the caption accompanying the post.
Under the CBN Act, anyone found guilty of tampering with the naira faces a minimum penalty of six months’ imprisonment or a fine of at least ₦50,000, or both.
The bank has urged Nigerians to safeguard the national currency and report violations, as enforcement agencies intensify actions against offenders across the country. It also provided toll-free hotlines for reporting incidents of naira abuse.
The clarification comes just days before Valentine’s Day, a period when money bouquets are commonly exchanged as gifts, potentially putting celebrants at risk of violating currency regulations.
