Fear of arrest: Performers and partygoers devise novel methods of "spraying Naira"

Nigerians have come up with innovative ways to make sure that the funfair that comes with dousing people in naira at social gatherings endures, thanks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's spotlight on naira manipulation.

When the anti-graft agency released a statement including the controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, alias Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison without the possibility of a fine for abusing the Naira, Nigerians were aware of the gravity of the offenses.

Actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was found guilty and given a six-month prison sentence earlier in February 2024 for smearing and trampling on naira notes during a social gathering in Lagos.

Following Bobrisky's socialite conviction, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as the Cubana Chief Priest, was granted N10 million bail following his plea of "not guilty" to an allegation of embezzlement.

Timbkoggist/timiyandasblog Online lists nine naira-related activities that could have legal repercussions following the conviction of the former and the trial of the latter.

The timbloggist/timiyandasblog report included a list of naira-related behaviors that could result in legal repercussions, including writing, tearing, stapling, dancing, stamping, selling, mutilating, refusing the naira, and money flowers.

According to the top bank's official website, the Central Bank of Nigeria's Clean Notes Policy was put into place to improve the banknotes' appearance and longevity.

The goal, according to the CBN, is to ensure that the naira banknotes in circulation continue to be of a high caliber so that they can be processed and accepted by the the broader public.

However, in an effort to combat the offenses, revelers and musicians have created fresh methods for dousing the naira.
With the invention, some singers have praised the recent action taken by the EFCC to uphold the prohibition on Naira abuse.

Some musicians have praised the move, despite the widespread belief that it will negatively impact musicians in general and indigenous musicians in particular if money spraying at parties is outlawed.

Popular singers Wasiu Alabi, alias Pasuma; Saheed Osupa; and Adewale Ayuba insisted that the nation's currency needed to be respected in separate conversations with one of our journalists.

Here are a few creative ways that attendees have come up with to throw money during social events.

Cash boxes: Boxes, which were formerly primarily utilized by musicians, are now a standard component of social events in Nigeria by musicians or celebrants for guests who, in lieu of throwing money at them, would just let go of their large sums of money to show respect for the musicians' craft or the celebrants.

Bank transfer: In order to make up for the money that should have been sprayed on the celebrants, guests at weddings, funerals, and birthday celebrations, among other events, now send money to the celebrants using the applications on their banks while they are dancing.

Money vouchers: Guests attending any social gathering may purchase money vouchers for the amount they expect to "spray" on celebrants and deposit the corresponding amount of cash into the agent's account (event planners).

The notes for the money vouchers are printed with pictures of the celebrant or event host. Notes with values of N1000 and N500 are commonly used.