From Uche Usim, Abuja
In an effort to deepen eNaira usage in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, said it was targeting to establish at least 10 agents’ offices in each of the 774 local government areas in the country, totalling 7,740.
The apex bank also continued its awareness campaign by visiting the Galadimawa area of Abuja, a major hub for commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the sensitisation event, Dr Khalipha Nuhu, information officer, who represented the Director of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Rakiya Mohammed, said that the awareness drive remains a major plank in deepening the usage of eNaira.
He noted that the digital currency has many advantages, especially in currency security and convenience, adding that users do not need an Internet-enabled phone to transact businesses on the platform.
He added that the eNaira app has many unique functions as it allows users to operate using any of the three major Nigerian languages.
Nuhu added that with eNaira, the issue of change is eliminated as users can pay the exact amount needed in any transaction.
He noted that the digital product would be very important for players in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and operators in the other sectors to lessen the risk of carrying naira.
He revealed that the CBN and its consultants on the eNaira project plan to register as many people as possible on the platform.
Also speaking, the Consultant to CBN on eNaira grassroots drive, Dr Aminu Bizi, noted that other states like Lagos were on the radar as major drivers of the awareness to ensure deeper penetration of the digital currency.
“We have to reach all and sundry. All you need is a phone and NIN. We will install an agent in this motor park. Anyone wanting to gain knowledge about eNaira can come there. This rally will go on for a couple of days. We target 10 agents in each of the 774 LGAs. We are also helping people get their NIN to ensure they are onboard”, he explained.
CBN, in technical partnership with Bitt Inc, launched the eNaira app on October 25, 2021, becoming the first nation in Africa and the sixth in the world to launch an electronic currency.
According to the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, the launch of eNaira was timely and strategic in complementing the various diversification and digitisation initiatives of the Federal Government; including the launch of the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the National Broadband Strategy, as well as the introduction of the Start-Up Bill and other initiatives.