CBN, Zenith Bank partner with University to deepen eNaira sensitisation, adoption

*Mrs. Mercy Itohan Ogbomon-Paul, Branch Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, discloses the Bank, in line with best practices, adopted the e-Naira platform since 2021 as a platform to ‘make payments system more viable, and very easy’ in the country’s financial ecosystem

*We urge all Nigerians to embrace this platform -Zenith Bank

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of the Bank’s efforts and commitment to ensuring that Nigerians consumers of financial products and services subscribe to the e-Naira  payment platform, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Zenith Bank Plc have sought partnership with the Management of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), in Akwa Ibom State, to sensitise members of the University community on benefits of the e-Naira payment platform.

It was gathered Mrs. Mercy Itohan Ogbomon-Paul, Branch Controller of CBN in Uyo, while addressing the University’s Management Thursday, June 8, 2023, on the Main campus Nwaniba, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital,   explained that the e-Naira initiative was adopted 2021 to make payment system much better and easier in the Nigerian digital financial ecosystem, Vanguard report noted.

Ogbomon-Paul who spoke through the Assistant Director, CBN, Mr. Isang  Enya, also stressed that the partnership was part of the Bank’s effort and commitment at ensuring that Nigerians keyed into the e-Naira payment platform.

Benefits of e-Naira, by CBN

“I’m highlighting the benefits of the e-Naira payments system,” Ogbomon-Paul restated the advantages include helping in monetary policy decision making.

The CBN Branch Controller, however, expressed concern that several Nigerians were yet to embrace the platform as many still prefer doing transactions with the physical cash in the economy.

Ogbomon-Paul further said: “As you are aware, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in its wisdom and in line with best practices, adopted the e-Naira platform since 2021 as a platform that will help to make our payment system more viable, and very easy.

“What is remaining is for our people to  key into the Initiative. In Nigeria people are used to carrying physical cash.

“Other countries have gone beyond using the physical cash payment.”

She further stated: “So, we are here to seek partnership with you (UNIUYO) on this initiative of the CBN to spread the message of e-Naira to the University community.”

VC appreciates initiative, urges CBN to design a strategy to reach the grassroots

In response to the Uyo Branch Controller’s presentation on the e-Naira initiative, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, appreciated the CBN Branch Controller for taking time to enumerate the benefits of the payment system, report said.

Prof. Ndaeyo, however, advised the Bankers’ Bank to also fashion out a strategy in order to reach out to the grassroots in the South-South state.

He noted that the institution had already keyed into the e-Naira payments platform.

The Vice Chancellor said: “Let me also mention based on what you have said that we are going to partner with you not only on the issue of the e-Naira.

“There are many things that you people can do for us. In the area of Agriculture we have functional faculty of Agriculture here.

“And we know that you people help a lot in the area of Agriculture. We are ready, our doors are open.”

Why we’re collaborating with CBN: Zenith Bank

Fielding questions from newsmen, Mr. Asuquo Ita, Deputy General Manager and Zonal Head of Zenith Bank Plc, in Akwa Ibom State, said his bank was collaborating with the CBN on sensitisation to the rural areas and major markets to encourage more people to embrace the e-Naira initiative.

Ita stated: “We are proud to partner with CBN on e-Naira in all the States of the federation.

“We urge all Nigerians to try as much as possible to embrace this platform.

“It makes payment system efficient, that is why as a commercial bank we are collaborating with the regulator  to ensure that we drive this payment system.”

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