Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the circulation of old N500 and N1000 notes.

The apex bank confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

In the statement issued by Isa Abdulmumin, CBN spokesperson, the apex bank directed commercial banks to start issuing and accepting old notes.

“In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterized the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as a regulator, Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023.”

“Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers’ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes till December 31, 2023. Consequently, all concerned are directed to conform accordingly.”

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State had earlier announced that CBN had complied with the Supreme Court order.

The Anambra Governor said tellers at the commercial banks are to generate the codes for deposits and there is no limit to the number of times an individual or company can make deposits.

Soludo said the CBN Governor gave the directive at a Bankers’ Committee meeting held on Sunday, 12th March, 2023.