The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged Nigerians to use payment methods like electronic transfers in order to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
The advice was given by Isaac Okoroafor, CBN’s director of corporate communications, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.
Okoroafor noted that people could contact the disease by touching a surface or object that had the virus and then touching one’s mouth, nose or possibly the eyes.
“In times like this, it is advisable for Nigerians to adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic transfers, internet banking, USSD, etc, to avoid the disease – Covid-19,” he said.
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“The naira note is one surface that people touch every day. It will be wise for us to wash hands after handling money, especially if you are eating or touching food.”
According to Okorafor, alternative payment methods are well developed and have immense benefits.
“Its efficiency has minimised liquidity, settlement, systemic credit and operational risks which were inherent in financial transactions,” he explained.
“It is secured, reliable, accessible, prompt and cost-effective to meet all users’ needs. Nigerians should use it.”
The CBN director reiterated the need for Nigerians to handle the naira with care and pride, describing it as a “symbol of our identity and value”.
