The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially refuted claims regarding the introduction of N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes, labeling such reports as false and misleading. A widely circulated message on social media alleged that the CBN planned to release these high-value denominations into circulation starting May 1, 2025. However, the CBN clarified through its official communication channels that no such plans exist. The bank emphasized that the purported circular did not originate from them and urged the public to rely solely on information from its official website and verified platforms.
This isn’t the first instance of misinformation regarding higher denomination notes. In January 2025, false claims emerged suggesting that the CBN had unveiled a N5,000 note featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s portrait. These claims were debunked, with investigations revealing that the images were AI-generated and not associated with the CBN.
The CBN has consistently addressed and dismissed such rumors, reiterating its commitment to transparency and accurate public communication. The bank advises the public to disregard unverified reports and to consult official CBN channels for authentic information.