Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Muhammadu Sanusi II said he had been informed that the redesigned naira notes would retain the Arabic sign on the current notes.
Sanusi, a former Emir of Kano, said CBN governor Godwin Emefiele told him that the Arabic sign would be part of the redesigned naira notes.
The former Emir and CBN governor told Islamic scholars on Monday that reports about plans to remove the Arabic inscriptions were mere speculation.
The Arabic inscriptions on the naira notes are 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.
“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.”
The CBN 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 inscriptions became a subject of debate among some Nigerians – with some calling for the removal while others wanted them retained.
Sanusi, who served as CBN governor between 2009 and 2014, urged the Islamic leaders to verify and seek clarifications on issues they were 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.
“When the misconception became widespread, I spoke to the CBN governor himself, and he also confirmed to me that there is no plan whatsoever to remove the Ajami. So, I want to appeal to Islamic scholars to please stop acting on unsubstantiated reports.” (VeracityDesk)
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