A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Emir of Kano State, Muhammadu Sanusi II has asserted that he has been reliably informed that the redesigned naira notes will retain the Arabic sign on the current notes.
Sanusi confirmed on Tuesday that the current governor of the CBN Godwin Emefiele told him that the Arabic sign will be part of the redesigned naira note.
The former Emir who spoke to Islamic scholars yesterday pointed out that rumours of removing the Arabic sign were mere speculation.
The Arabic inscription on the naira notes is called Ajami, an Arabic-derived African writing system.
‘I heard various scholars commenting, with some implying that the Ajami on the naira notes would be removed,’ Sanusi said. ‘I want to use this medium to authoritatively confirm to the Muslim ummah that there are no such plans.
Read Also: Sanusi Lamido Openly Calls For Disbandment Of NNPC
‘Since the issue came up, we have spoken to some people in the Central Bank, and they confirmed to me that such a plan is non-existent.’
Africa Today News, New York reports that the CBN had last week announced plans to redesign the 200, 500, and 1,000 naira notes with effect from Thursday, December 15, 2022.
Emefiele added that the redesigning of Naira notes would help to curb counterfeit notes, as well as hamper ramson payment to terrorists and kidnappers.
After the CBN’s announcement, the Arabic inscription became a subject of debate among some Nigerians – with some calling for the removal while others want it retained.
Sanusi, who served as CBN governor between 2009 and 2014, urged the Islamic leaders to verify and seek clarification on issues they are not clear about.
He disclosed that he had a conversation with CBN governor Emefiele to get clarity on matters surrounding the redesigning of the naira notes.