The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied reports circulating on social media claiming that it has introduced a new N5,000 banknote featuring President Bola Tinubu.
The claim, which came alongside a viral image purporting to show the new currency, sparked widespread reactions online, with many users questioning its authenticity.
However, in a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the apex bank dismissed the image as fake, urging the public not to be misled. “This content is fake. Let the public be guided,” the CBN wrote.
Fact-checks carried out on the viral image also suggest it is AI-generated, with detection tools indicating a high likelihood that it was created using artificial intelligence rather than being an official currency design.
The controversy has revived old discussions around the idea of introducing higher denomination notes in Nigeria. Although proposals for a N5,000 note were previously considered years ago, the CBN later stepped back from the plan, and no such currency has ever been officially released.
For now, the bank maintains that all approved Nigerian currency remains unchanged and advises the public to rely only on verified official announcements regarding any changes to legal tender.
