Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Muhammadu Sanusi II has said that the Arabic sign will be retain in the redesigned naira notes.
There have been concerns and agitations by some Nigerians over the retention of the sign with Muslim Rights Group, MURIC calling for its inscription as a condition to support the move by the CBN.
Reacting to it, the former Emir of Kano disclosed that he was informed by the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele that the Arabic sign will be part of the redesigned naira note.
According to him, the CBN governor told Islamic scholars on Monday that rumours of removing the Arabic sign were mere speculation.
The Arabic inscription on the naira notes is called Ajami, an Arabic-derived African writing system.
“I heard various scholars commenting, with some implying that the Ajami on the naira notes would be removed,” Sanusi said. “I want to use this medium to authoritatively confirm to the Muslim ummah that there are no such plans.
“Since the issue came up, we have spoken to some people in the Central Bank, and they confirmed to me that such a plan is non-existent.”
Sanusi, who served as CBN governor between 2009 and 2014, urged the Islamic leaders to verify and seek clarification on issues they are not clear about.
He disclosed that he had a conversation with CBN governor Emefiele to get clarity on matters surrounding the redesigning of the naira notes.
“When the misconception became widespread, I spoke to the CBN governor himself, and he also confirmed to me that there is no plan whatsoever to remove the Ajami. So, I want to appeal to Islamic scholars to please stop acting on unsubstantiated reports.”
