Some residents of Bauchi State have urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure proper education of the people on the newly introduced e-Naira digital currency in the country.
Cross section of the residents made the call in separate interviews on Tuesday in Bauchi.
The CBN introduced e-Naira after the ban on Cryptocurrency which is not being issued by a sovereign authority.
It is a form of digital currency that allows exchange between people online.
The Apex bank planned to launch e-Naira on October 1, 2021.
However, some of the residents said that majority of the people were not aware of the new monetary policy.
Mr Rauf Oyewole, resident of Bauchi, said he learnt about the digital currency over the media.
“I heard about the e-Naira currency of the CBN but I do not understand how it will work.
“Governments around the world have begun to consider producing their own digital currencies which Nigeria should not be left behind,” he said.
Oyewole said that government should engage relevant agencies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the media to embark on massive sensitisation to create awareness on the e-Naira.
Another resident, Mrs Hannatu Emma, said that most of the people in the state were not familiar with the digital currency and how to make transaction with it.
“I am educated but I am not aware of the e-Naira currency, it is good to take into consideration rural dwellers who are not literate and lack IT skills and facilities.
“The CBN should do more to ensure proper education of the people through radio jingles in different languages to create better understanding of the digital currency,” she said.
On his Part, Mr Andrew Ibrahim, an economist, lauded the initiative, adding that the measure would enable Nigeria to move along other countries that developed their digital currencies.
He listed India, China, South Africa and Ghana as some of the countries with individual digital currency.
“The CBN is embracing reality by introducing digital currency in the country as against cryptocurrency.
“The reason behind the ban of cryptocurrency is still lingering in the minds of Nigerians,” Ibrahim said.
Malam Inuwa Garba, an activist, said the policy would enable Nigeria to match the global trend to achieve sustainable social and economic development.
Garba said the introduction of the e-Naira was a step in the right direction, adding that it would boost international trade and strengthen the Naira.
He advocated for the upgrade of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to facilitate successful implementation of the e- Naira currency.
