The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched the *997# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code in Kano to reduce the use of cash in commercial activities in the country.
Deputy Governor Operations of the CBN, Mr. Foladun Shinobi described the unveiling of the code as another milestone in delivering digital financial services to Nigerians and enabling their participation in the global digital economy.
Shinobi noted that the eNaira presents an opportunity to offer Nigerians endless possibilities in using financial services adding that it is captured by the slogan “Same Naira, More Opportunities”.
The theme of the fair is: “Implementation of eNaira Wallet Towards Job€%+ Opportunity and Economic Growth.” The apex bank introduced the eNaira transaction code *997#, to engender financial inclusion and avail Nigerians opportunities to endless possibilities through financial services. Emefiele who was represented by the Deputy Governor Operations, Mr Folashodun Adenisi-Shonubi, described eNaira as a strategic initiative, in accordance with the bank’s mandate
It captured the slogan ‘Same Naira, More Possibilities’, and designed to positively impact lives of Nigerians, and transform the economy. The eNaira is expected to enhance inclusion, support poverty reduction, enable direct welfare disbursement to citizens, support a resilient payments ecosystem, improve availability and usability of central bank money,” he said. He said it would also facilitate diaspora remittances, reduce the cost of processing cash, and improve efficiency of cross border payments, among others. According to him, approximately 45 per cent Nigerians do not have bank accounts, while 35.9 per cent are excluded from formal financial services. He, however, said that about 81 per cent of the adults population in Nigeria representing 86 million of the 106 million own mobile phones. “In addition, there are 150 million Mobile Subscribers in Nigeria, according to NCC, June 2022.
“Therefore, eNaira seeks to leverage the huge opportunity mobile telecommunication presents, as a distribution channel for the offering of digital services to the underserved and unbanked population,” he said. Gov Abdullahi Ganduje, represented by Alhaji Sagir Muhammad, Special Adviser on Cabinet Affairs, thanked the CBN for the unveiling of the eNaira USSD code in Kano. He said that his administration would ensure enabling environment for businesses to thrive for the overall social and economic development of the state. The governor said the state government would use the eNaira platform for its empowerment programmes, and urged Nigerians to utilise the opportunity, to boost their businesses. “With this, you don’t need to go to the bank, POS operators, or have ATM card, all you need is to use the transaction code “997#,” he said