ABUJA, Nigeria – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially dismissed a viral image circulating on social media that purports to show a new N5,000 banknote featuring the portrait of President Bola Tinubu.
Okay News reports that the apex bank addressed the misinformation via its official X handle on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The bank attached a “FAKE” stamp to the circulating image, stating that the content is fraudulent and advising the public to remain guided by official communications only.
An investigation into the viral image revealed it to be a sophisticated digital fabrication. Technical analysis conducted using the AI detector tool, Hive Moderation, confirmed that the image was comprised of over 90% AI-generated material. The forensic check indicates that the hoax was likely created using an artificial intelligence tool on the social media platform X, with the original watermarks removed before it was shared across other networks.
While there have been historical discussions regarding the introduction of an N5,000 note, specifically in 2012, the CBN has repeatedly backtracked on such plans, most recently in 2022. Under Section 18 of the CBN Act 2007, the Bank holds absolute power over the printing and issuance of currency. Officials have warned that the distribution of misleading currency designs is a criminal offense, and they urged Nigerians to verify any currency-related news through the official CBN website.
