Policy To Encourage Nigerians to Keep Dollars in Bank Underway

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has revealed a new government policy permitting Nigerians to dollars outside the formal banking system to bring those funds into the financial system.

Edun said such individuals have a nine-month grace period to comply with the directive without attracting legal liability or financial penalties.

The Finance Minister speaking after the National Economic Council meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday gave an update on the Excess Crude Account, currently standing at $473,754.57, the Natural Resources Fund at ₦26,105,837,627.67, and the Stabilization Account at ₦36,299,452,763.62.

He equally gave an update on government economic relief measures, saying 25 million Nigerians have benefitted from federal social protection initiatives, including digital outreach, microenterprise loans, and sector-specific support for power, agriculture, manufacturing, health, and compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives.

He said, “One element of the cost increase is the foreign exchange rate, which is demand and supply. There is going to be a release today, details by the federal government through the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Central Bank, a programme, starting today, 31st of October, and lasting nine months, that will allow people to bring in cash that is outside the banking system.

“So, therefore, it is unsafe, and outside of legal limits. They will allow forbearance to bring dollars cash. Once again, let me emphasise that it is to bring in dollars outside the system and credit it to their bank accounts, as long as it is not the proceeds of crime or illicit money. There will be no penalty, there will be no taxes, and there will be no questions.

“They just meet the normal Know Your Customer criteria of banks and they have an opportunity to bring in those funds, make them safe, secure, and available through normal, economic activity. The details of the guidelines will be released, first of all, the announcement by the Ministry of Finance and the guidelines later will be followed very quickly by the Central Bank.

“That is an opportunity, not just for people who would normally like to comply, to be compliant with the laws and normal business practice, but of course, it allows us to bring those dollars from where they are doing nothing to where they are within the financial system, they add to our reserves, and of course can help with the exchange rate”.