2025-12-02 | FPRD/DIR/PUB/CIR/001/011

Circular to All Banks, Other Financial Institution and the General Public: Revised Cash-Related Policies

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced revisions to its cash-related policies, effective January 1, 2026. These changes aim to moderate cash management costs, address security concerns, and reduce money laundering risks. Key updates include the removal of deposit limits and associated fees, a weekly withdrawal limit of ₦500,000 for individuals and ₦5 million for corporates (with excess withdrawal fees), and the elimination of special authorization for large cash withdrawals. These policies are intended to promote the use of electronic payment channels and reflect current economic realities, while some older circulars are being superseded.

Central Bank of Nigeria Financial Policy & Regulation Department Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way Central Business District P.M.B. 0187 Garki, Abuja - Nigeria. E-mail: fprd@cbn.gov.ng Website: www.cbn.gov.ng Phone: +234 700-225-5226, +234 800-225-5226

FPRD/DIR/PUB/CIR/001/011 December 2, 2025

CIRCULAR TO ALL BANKS, OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

REVISED CASH-RELATED POLICIES As part of efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management, address security concerns, and reduce the potential for money laundering associated with the economy's heavy reliance on cash, the Central Bank of Nigeria implemented several cash-related policies. Translation: As part of efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management, address security concerns, and reduce the potential for money laundering associated with the economy's heavy reliance on cash, the Central Bank of Nigeria implemented several cash-related policies.

These policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels. With the effluxion of time, the need has arisen to streamline the provisions of these policies to reflect present-day realities. Translation: These policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels. With the effluxion of time, the need has arisen to streamline the provisions of these policies to reflect present-day realities.

Consequently, effective January 1, 2026, the following cash-related policies, which are for mandatory compliance by all deposit-taking financial institutions in Nigeria, shall apply nationwide: Translation: Consequently, effective January 1, 2026, the following cash-related policies, which are for mandatory compliance by all deposit-taking financial institutions in Nigeria, shall apply nationwide:

  1. Limit on deposit and associated fee on excess deposit The cumulative deposit limit is hereby removed and the fee for excess deposit shall no longer apply. Translation: Limit on deposit and associated fee on excess deposit. The cumulative deposit limit is hereby removed and the fee for excess deposit shall no longer apply.

  2. Cumulative weekly withdrawal limit The cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels shall be #500,000 for individuals and 5 million for corporates. Cumulative weekly withdrawals above these limits shall attract excess withdrawal fees as indicated in '5' below. Translation: Cumulative weekly withdrawal limit. The cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels shall be #500,000 for individuals and 5 million for corporates. Cumulative weekly withdrawals above these limits shall attract excess withdrawal fees as indicated in '5' below.

  3. Exceptional Authorisation for Cash Withdrawal The special authorisation for withdrawal of 5 million and 10 million once monthly by individuals and corporates, respectively, shall no longer apply. Translation: Exceptional Authorisation for Cash Withdrawal. The special authorisation for withdrawal of 5 million and 10 million once monthly by individuals and corporates, respectively, shall no longer apply.

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  1. Automated Teller Machine Withdrawal Limit Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal limit shall be ₩100,000 daily (per customer), subject to a maximum of 500,000 weekly. As indicated in '2' above, cash withdrawals from ATMs and point of sale devices are part of the weekly withdrawal limit indicated therein. Translation: Automated Teller Machine Withdrawal Limit. Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal limit shall be ₩100,000 daily (per customer), subject to a maximum of 500,000 weekly. As indicated in '2' above, cash withdrawals from ATMs and point of sale devices are part of the weekly withdrawal limit indicated therein.

  2. Review of excess withdrawal fee Excess cash withdrawals (withdrawals above the levels indicated in '2' above) shall attract fees of 3 percent and 5 percent to individual and corporate customers, respectively, on the excess amount withdrawn. The fee shall be shared 40 percent to the CBN and 60 percent to the bank or financial institution. Translation: Review of excess withdrawal fee. Excess cash withdrawals (withdrawals above the levels indicated in '2' above) shall attract fees of 3 percent and 5 percent to individual and corporate customers, respectively, on the excess amount withdrawn. The fee shall be shared 40 percent to the CBN and 60 percent to the bank or financial institution.

  3. Denominations to be loaded in ATMs All currency denominations may be loaded in ATMs. Translation: Denominations to be loaded in ATMs. All currency denominations may be loaded in ATMs.

  4. Limit on Encashment of Third-Party Cheques The limit on over-the-counter encashment of 3rd party cheques is retained at 100,000. Account holders are advised that any withdrawal under this section will form part of the cumulative weekly set in '2' above. Translation: Limit on Encashment of Third-Party Cheques. The limit on over-the-counter encashment of 3rd party cheques is retained at 100,000. Account holders are advised that any withdrawal under this section will form part of the cumulative weekly set in '2' above.

  5. Reporting Banks shall render the following monthly returns (in a format to be advised) to the respective supervisory departments (Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department and Payments System Supervision Department) as applicable: Translation: Reporting. Banks shall render the following monthly returns (in a format to be advised) to the respective supervisory departments (Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department and Payments System Supervision Department) as applicable:

a. Returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limit; Translation: Returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limit; b. Returns on Cash Deposits Translation: Returns on Cash Deposits

  1. Internal Ledger for Charges Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) shall create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on cash withdrawals above the limits. Translation: Internal Ledger for Charges. Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) shall create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on cash withdrawals above the limits.

  2. Exemptions a. The following accounts/entities are exempted from the application of sections 2 and 5 of this circular: Translation: Exemptions. The following accounts/entities are exempted from the application of sections 2 and 5 of this circular:

i. Revenue generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments; and Translation: Revenue generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments; and ii. Accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks.. Translation: Accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks.

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b. The exemption of embassies, diplomatic missions and aid-donor agencies from specific cash policies shall no longer apply. Translation: The exemption of embassies, diplomatic missions and aid-donor agencies from specific cash policies shall no longer apply.

  1. This circular is without prejudice to the provisions of the circulars listed in Appendix 1. Translation: This circular is without prejudice to the provisions of the circulars listed in Appendix 1.

  2. It supersedes the provisions of the circulars in Appendix 2. Translation: It supersedes the provisions of the circulars in Appendix 2.

Please be guided accordingly.

Bile DR. RITA I. SIKE DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL POLICY & REGULATION DEPARTMENT

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APPENDIX 1 - LIST OF CIRCULARS THAT ARE NOT SUPERSEDED

S/N CIRCULAR TITLE CIRCULAR DATE CIRCULAR REFERENCE 1. Introduction of Three tiered Know Your Customer Requirements 18-Jan-13 FPRDIR/CIR/GEN/02/001 2. Deployment of Cash Activity Reporting Portal (CARP) to the Banking Industry 14-Oct-14 COD/DIR/GEN/CMF/09/044 3. Guide to Charges by Banks, Non-bank and OFIs 20-Dec-19 FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/07/042 4. Data transmission to Cash Activity Reporting Portal (CARP) 20-May-20 BSD/DIR/GEN/LAB/13/022 5. Updated Penalty on inappropriate cash disbursement practices by DMBs 13-Dec-24 COD/DIR/INT/CIR/001/025

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APPENDIX 2 – LIST OF SUPERSEDED CIRCULARS

S/N CIRCULAR TITLE CIRCULAR DATE CIRCULAR REFERENCE 1 INDUSTRY POLICY ON RETAIL CASH COLLECTION AND 20-Apr-11 COD/DIR/GEN/CIT/05/031 LODGEMENT (IITP/C/001) 2 PRESS STATEMENT ON THE NEW CBN CASH COLLECTION POLICY 1-Jul-11 Press release 4 NEED FOR CLARIFICATION ON CASH WITHDARWAL LIMIT FOR PMIS AND MFBS 1-Mar-12 BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/01/002 5 REVIEW OF INDUSTRY POLICY ON RETAIL CASH COLLECTION AND LODGEMENT INDUSTRY POLICY ON RETAIL CASH 19-Mar-12 Press release 6 COLLECTION AND LODGEMENT (IITP/C/001) AS IT AFFECTS SPECIALIZED INTERNATIONAL 23-Mar-12 BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/01/004 INSTITUTIONS 7 INTRODUCTION OF THREE TIERED KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS 18-Jan-13 FPRDIR/CIR/GEN/02/001 8 CIRCULAR ON THE PHASE III NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT OF THE CASHLESS POLICY 9-Jun-14 BPS/PSP/DIR/CIR/VOL. 1/008 10 NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT OF CASHLESS POLICY TO THE REMAINING 30 STATES 13-Jul-15 BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/02/006 11 CIRCULAR ON NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CASHLESS 21-Feb-17 BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/001 POLICY 12 RE: CIRCULAR ON NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CASH-LESS 20-Apr-17 BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/04/004 POLICY 13 RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CASHLESS POLICY 17-Sep-19 PSM/DIR/CON/CWO/02/014 14 RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CASHLESS POLICY 16-Oct-19 PSM/DIR/GEN/CIR/01/016 17 NAIRA REDESIGN POLICY - REVISED CASH WITHDRAWAL LIMITS 6-Dec-22 BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/015/069 18 RE: NAIRA REDESIGN POLICY - REVISED CASH WITHDRAWAL LIMITS 21-Dec-22 BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/015/073 19 EXEMPTION OF PMBS AND MFBS FROM CASH WITHDRAWAL LIMITS 31-Jul-23 PSM/DIR/PUB/CIR/001/049 20 RE: PROCESSING FEE ON CASH DEPOSITS 11-Dec-23 BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/016/024 21 RE: PROCESSING FEE ON CASH DEPOSITS 6-May-24 BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/007 22 RE: PROCESSING FEE ON CASH DEPOSITS 24-Sep-24 BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/011 23 MYSTERY SHOPPING AND SPOT CHECK ON CASH DISBURSEMENT ACTIVITIES OF DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS 13-Nov-24 COD/DIR/INT/CIR/001/021 24 CASH AVAILABILITY OVER THE COUNTER IN DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS AND AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES 29-Nov-24 COD/DIR/INT/CIR/001/023

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Tags
monetary
payments
aml
deposits