Calls for Cultural Sensitivity in Currency Regulation
By Ameh Gabriel
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the National Assembly to amend or repeal Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007, which criminalises acts described as “naira abuse,” including the popular cultural practice of spraying money at social events.
In an open letter addressed to the legislative body, Adeyanju argued that the law is “out of touch” with Nigeria’s cultural traditions and threatens to criminalise practices deeply embedded in the nation’s celebratory customs.
“The spraying of money has long been a cherished cultural practice in Nigeria, symbolising joy, generosity, and goodwill during celebrations like weddings, birthdays, funerals, and chieftaincy ceremonies,” Adeyanju noted. “This act is not just a display of wealth but a deeply rooted expression of unity and festivity.”
Section 21 of the CBN Act: A Growing Controversy
Section 21 of the CBN Act prohibits tampering with the naira, including spraying, writing on, stapling, or mutilating currency notes. In recent months, the enforcement of this law has sparked widespread debate following the arrest of celebrities and party attendees for spraying money at social gatherings.
Adeyanju questioned the interpretation and enforcement of the law, arguing that it fails to distinguish between intentional mutilation of the naira and cultural expressions of celebration. He pointed out that most sprayed notes are typically collected, preserved, and returned to circulation without lasting damage.
“In practice, sprayed notes are not necessarily damaged or rendered unusable… Yet, this nuance is lost in the rigid application of Section 21,” he remarked, highlighting the need for legal reform that reflects the realities of Nigerian culture.
A Call for Cultural Context in Law Enforcement
Adeyanju emphasized that while protecting the naira is important, the current law disregards the cultural significance of spraying money and instead criminalises symbolic acts of joy. “What the law characterises as abuse is, for millions of Nigerians, a legitimate form of celebration,” he stated.
He further pointed out the irony in current enforcement practices, noting that the most significant wear and tear on naira notes occur not at social events, but in daily transactions across markets, churches, mosques, and public transport.
“The real irony lies not just in how the law is enforced, but in where the greatest abuse of the naira actually occurs… In these spaces, naira notes are handled repeatedly, folded, squeezed, and passed from hand to hand,” Adeyanju observed. “This is not a crime; it is the reality of a currency in circulation.”
Legislative Appeal: Balance Tradition and Regulation
Quoting American revolutionary Huey P. Newton, Adeyanju stressed that “Laws should be made to serve the people. People should not be made to serve the laws.” He urged lawmakers to amend or repeal Section 21 to create a legal distinction between cultural expression and currency defacement.
Adeyanju proposed that the National Assembly consider more culturally sensitive enforcement and public education campaigns on responsible currency handling rather than outright criminalisation of traditional practices.
“This is a call for a legal system that honours the traditions of its people while protecting the nation’s interests,” he added. “If the goal is truly to protect the naira, then the law must evolve to balance its regulatory objectives with cultural realities.”
