Despite ongoing campaigns against the mishandling of the naira, the age-old practice of money spraying resurfaced during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Adamawa State, highlighting the enduring culture of flaunting cash at social events.
Tinubu’s visit to Adamawa on Monday was part of a larger agenda to inaugurate several development projects executed by the Ahmadu Fintiri administration.
These include model schools across all 21 local government areas, complete with pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary sections, sports complexes, and modern learning facilities.
Other projects inaugurated include an eight-lane underpass bridge on Galadima Aminu Road, a remodelled high court, a new multipurpose hall, an officers’ complex, and a Government House office complex.
The incident occurred while famous Hausa musician Dauda Rarara performed his latest hit, ‘Omo Ologo’ (Child of Glory), in honour of the President during the visit.
Tinubu, reportedly a fan of the singer, appeared pleased with the performance.
During his performance, a yet-to-be-identified woman dressed in APC attire moved close to the singer, overexcited, and sprayed about three notes in the presence of the President but was immediately cautioned.
Money spraying, stepping on, or using naira notes as props at celebrations is prohibited under Nigerian law.
Section 21 of the CBN Act makes such acts illegal, with violators subject to legal penalties.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had also enforced the Clean Note Policy, which seeks to maintain the integrity and circulation quality of the naira while discouraging practices that reduce its lifespan.
The spraying incident follows a series of legal actions in recent years highlighting Nigeria’s strict stance on naira abuse. In April 2024, the cross-dresser Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, was arraigned and sentenced to six months imprisonment for the offence by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Another socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, faced similar charges and was granted bail of N10 million.
Earlier, in February 2023, Nollywood actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was arraigned for dancing on N100,000 naira notes during a social event in Lagos.
