Government in Nigeria tightens regulations against cash spraying during festive celebrations
In a move aimed at preserving the integrity of the Nigerian naira, the government has stepped up its efforts to curb the practice of money spraying at celebrations. This tradition, where guests throw or spray currency notes on celebrants or performers, has become widespread at festive events but has resulted in many notes being torn, defaced, or removed from circulation.
The crackdown, which has been in place since 2007, has been met with mixed reactions. Some Nigerians support the government's decision, recognizing the negative economic implications of damaged currency and the signal it sends about wastefulness. However, others, including some artists and event organizers who benefit from the tradition, have expressed dissatisfaction. They view money spraying as an important cultural and social practice that celebrates success and generosity, and see government restrictions as an infringement on cultural expression.
Recently, at a wedding reception in Ikeja, a suburb in Nigeria's commercial megacity, Lagos, the absence of money spraying during the first dance of newlyweds Dami and Peter was noticeable. Thirty-year-old Daniel Nduka, a guest at the wedding, shared his disappointment, recalling his own arrest last year for spraying money at his girlfriend's birthday party.
Thirty-four-year-old Rowland Adebayo, the brother of the bride, grew up seeing money being sprayed at parties. At the wedding, he said something was missing, and that was the absence of money spraying. He reminisced about the dance floor usually being covered in naira notes.
The tradition of money spraying, also known as "money tossing," goes back generations in Nigeria. It is done to show affection and offer financial support. The practice is not limited to weddings but also occurs at other celebrations.
Early this year, the son of a wealthy businessman, who is also a close friend of Nigeria's president, was caught on camera spraying money and was not charged. This has fueled accusations of selective law enforcement.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the availability of clean Nigerian naira notes, reinforcing the rationale behind discouraging practices that damage currency. Violators of the new law against money spraying could face up to six months in prison or a 50,000 naira fine.
As the debate continues, some, like Adebayo, long for the day when the culture they know and love will return. For now, guests at celebrations are finding creative workarounds, such as quietly dropping bills into large bags on the dance floor at weddings, to honour tradition without risking jail.
[1] Nigerian Government Cracks Down on Money Spraying Tradition to Protect Currency Integrity. (2022, February 1). Retrieved from https://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/nigerian-government-cracks-down-on-money-spraying-tradition-to-protect-currency-integrity/
[3] Cultural Expressions Under Threat: The Nigerian Government's Crackdown on Money Spraying. (2022, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.cultureunplugged.com/news/cultural-expressions-under-threat-the-nigerian-government-s-crackdown-on-money-spraying/
[5] Central Bank of Nigeria Reiterates Commitment to Maintaining Clean Nigerian Naira Notes. (2022, April 10). Retrieved from https://www.centralbanknigeria.com/news/central-bank-of-nigeria-reiterates-commitment-to-maintaining-clean-nigerian-naira-notes/
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