President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigerians can now use the Naira Card for payments and transactions across the world, saying the achievement reflects growing confidence in the nation’s currency.
The announcement was made on Saturday in Abuja during the 9th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Prayer for the Nation organised by the Ashraaf Islamic Foundation.
The event focused on the theme, Faith and Justice: The Islamic Judicial Perspective on Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the president said recent economic reforms had begun to yield positive results. He noted that interest rates had been adjusted downward by the Central Bank of Nigeria, while inflation figures were showing signs of improvement.
According to him, the country has moved away from heavy dependence on foreign currencies for basic international transactions.
He said Nigerians can now travel abroad and rely on their Naira Card without needing to carry dollars, euros or pounds.
Tinubu attributed the change to improved stability in the naira and better management of external reserves.
He also claimed that food inflation has been on a steady decline over the past year and that headline inflation has followed a similar trend in recent months.
The president admitted that the economic reforms introduced by his administration came with hardship at the initial stage. However, he said those difficult decisions were necessary to correct long-standing problems in the economy.
He stressed that current indicators show Nigeria is gradually recovering, pointing to currency stability and improved confidence in the financial system as evidence.
On security, Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his government remains committed to defeating terrorism and banditry.
He praised religious and traditional leaders for their prayers and support, saying national unity is key to restoring peace and stability.
He maintained that those threatening Nigeria’s progress would be confronted and defeated through collective effort and strong governance.
