The Central Bank of Nigeria has cautioned Nigerians against presenting cash as “money bouquets” during Valentine’s Day celebrations, declaring the practice a form of naira abuse punishable under the law.
In an advisory issued on Thursday via its official social media handle, the apex bank listed money bouquets alongside offences such as spraying, squeezing, writing on, selling and defacing the naira.
Money bouquets involve folding banknotes into petal-like shapes and arranging them in the form of flowers for gifting purposes, a trend that has gained popularity during romantic celebrations and social events.
The CBN stressed that mutilating or tampering with the naira in any form violates provisions of the CBN Act and attracts stiff penalties.
“It is your civic duty to protect the naira. Report naira abuse today,” the bank stated in the flier.
According to the apex bank, offenders risk a minimum of six months’ imprisonment or a fine of not less than N50,000, or both, upon conviction.
The warning comes days before Valentine’s Day, a period when the use of decorated cash gifts, including money bouquets, typically surges across the country.
The CBN urged members of the public to handle banknotes with care and to report cases of naira abuse to the appropriate authorities. It also provided toll-free hotlines for reporting violations as enforcement agencies intensify surveillance and clamp down on offenders nationwide.
In recent months, security agencies have stepped up enforcement against currency mutilation, arresting and prosecuting individuals involved in spraying and mishandling the naira at parties and other public gatherings.
The apex bank reiterated that preserving the integrity of the national currency is a collective responsibility, warning that ignorance of the law would not shield offenders from prosecution.