The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken proactive measures to address the ongoing cash scarcity affecting Nigerians by releasing dedicated phone numbers and email addresses for the public to report issues at automated teller machines (ATMs) and bank branches.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, jointly signed by Solaja Olayemi, Acting Director of Currency Operations, and Isa-Olatinwo Aisha, Acting Director of Branch Operations, the CBN outlined the steps for reporting cash-related challenges.
According to the CBN, bank customers can report instances where they are unable to withdraw cash over the counter or through ATMs at Deposit Money Banks (DMBs). This includes providing specific details such as the bank name, account details, date, time, and location of the incident.
The statement emphasized that these reports will help the apex bank identify and address issues hindering the availability of cash, ultimately improving currency circulation nationwide.
This move comes amid growing complaints from Nigerians about the scarcity of naira notes at ATMs and bank branches, which has been attributed to the effects of the CBN’s cashless policy introduced in 2022.
The CBN encouraged the public to use the designated channels for lodging complaints, including:
– **Phone Calls:** Contacting the designated CBN branch in the state where the issue occurred.
– **Email:** Sending detailed reports to the email address for the respective state.
This initiative underscores the CBNโs commitment to ensuring better access to cash for Nigerians while maintaining the effectiveness of its cashless policy.
For further inquiries or to report issues, bank customers are encouraged to reach out via the CBN’s official contact channels.
