The Nigerian government is considering paying public sector salaries, pensions and social welfare benefits through the eNaira as part of a new roadmap by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to expand the adoption of the country’s digital currency.
The proposal, outlined in the CBN’s latest strategic plan, seeks to transform the eNaira from a largely underutilised digital asset into a mainstream payment platform for government transactions and everyday financial services.
If implemented, the initiative would see millions of civil servants, pensioners and beneficiaries of government social intervention programmes receive payments directly through the eNaira, marking one of the most ambitious steps yet to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a digital economy.
The roadmap forms part of broader efforts by the apex bank to deepen financial inclusion, reduce reliance on cash transactions and strengthen the country’s digital payment infrastructure. While no official timeline has been announced for the rollout, the proposal signals a significant shift in the government’s strategy for the eNaira, which was launched in 2021 but has struggled to gain widespread public acceptance.
