Naira Spraying Ban: Prominent human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has sparked national debate with an open letter to the National Assembly, calling for the repeal of Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, 2007, which criminalizes the spraying and defacing of naira notes.
In the letter titled “Open Letter to the National Assembly: A Call to Repeal Section 21 of the CBN Act, 2007 on Naira Abuse,” Adeyanju criticized the law as outdated and disconnected from the realities of Nigerian life. Quoting American activist Huey P. Newton, he argued that laws must serve the people—not punish their traditions.
Adeyanju explained that spraying money at social events like weddings, birthdays, and funerals is a long-standing cultural practice in Nigeria, symbolizing joy, love, and generosity. He said this act, while sometimes misunderstood, is far from being a criminal offense and should not be treated as one.
He pointed out that Section 21, which forbids tampering with the naira—such as writing on, stapling, or spraying it—was likely designed to preserve the quality of the currency. However, he believes its enforcement has become harsh and misapplied. According to him, the law fails to distinguish between intentional destruction and cultural celebration.
Adeyanju also noted the irony of focusing legal enforcement on cultural events, while naira notes continue to suffer real wear and tear in everyday settings like markets, churches, and buses—where they are squeezed, folded, and handled roughly on a daily basis.
He warned that criminalizing harmless cultural acts sends the wrong message and creates a law that feels oppressive rather than protective. He urged the National Assembly to rethink the law on naira spraying ban, saying it should be reviewed and updated to reflect Nigeria’s unique social and cultural environment.
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Rather than punishing celebrants for defaulting the naira spraying ban, Adeyanju proposed that the government invest more in public education about responsible handling of money and apply the law fairly across board, without targeting specific individuals or events.
