Commercial banks are awaiting directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on how the old N200 banknotes will be circulated across the country.
A staff of Fidelity Bank PLc, Ibeju-Lekki Lagos, told customers outside the gate of the bank’s branch that they did not open for business because they had no naira notes to disburse.
The staff, who was going home after work, met large number of customers at the gate still waiting for the branch to open for business.
Although the bank was not opened to customers, the staff passed through the bank door when they were going home.
“We did not open for business today, because no cash to pay customers. You remember the situation in Edo State where banks’ branches were attacked. We do not want that to happen to us. We can only open when the CBN gives us cash,” the staff said.
One customer, Maureen Adenike, said she came to see if she can get some cash to settle financial challenges in her home. “There are somethings that we cannot do with bank transfers. I need cash to settle some petty expenses at home and that is why I am here,” he said.
Many other banks however offered skeletal services mainly bank transfers, internet banking, activation of ATM cards and hard tokens.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said he had met with 15 bank CEOs to discuss modalities on how the N200 banknotes will circulate across the country.
The apex bank boss, said the pains being experienced by Nigerians are temporary and are being addressed.
According to him, the CBN is already taking steps to ensure that the N200 old notes, circulate massively as directed by President Mohammadu Buhari.
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