Roses Are Red, But the Naira Is Not for Decoration

Valentine’s Day is here again. The air is soft. The playlists are emotional. The timelines are flooded with love declarations, surprise proposals and, of course, those dramatic money bouquets — crisp naira notes folded like roses, arranged in shiny wrappers, sprayed with perfume and presented like royalty. For the last few years in Nigeria, money bouquets, cash cakes and cash towers have become the loudest way to say, “I love you and I have money.” But in 2026, that loud romance is meeting a quiet but firm warning. Just ahead of February 14, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reminded Nigerians that turning naira notes into decorative gifts is against the law. Yes, that viral Valentine trend can land you in serious trouble. Let’s break it down. When you fold, staple, tape, glue or pin naira notes into bouquets and fancy shapes, you’re not just being creative — you’re technically abusing the currency. According to the CBN, this falls under “naira abuse” because those actions can damage the notes. And damaged notes are a real issue. Once a note is torn, pierced or badly folded, it may no longer pass through ATMs or be accepted easily by banks. Replacing damaged currency costs money, time and resources. So the law steps in to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s legal tender. This isn’t a sudden Valentine crackdown or a new rule made up overnight. It’s part of existing provisions under the CBN Act that are now being more strictly enforced — especially during seasons like Valentine’s Day when money bouquets trend heavily on social media. Now here’s the part many people ignore. Under Section 21 of the CBN Act, abusing or defacing the naira can attract: <ul><li>A minimum fine of ₦50,000</li><li>Or at least six months imprisonment</li><li>Or both</li></ul> So that “romantic” bouquet you planned to surprise your partner with could cost you far more than the cash inside it. Important clarification: the CBN is not banning cash gifts. You are free to give money to your partner. You just cannot damage the notes in the process. If you want to gift cash this Valentine, keep it simple and safe: <ul><li>Put it in a beautiful envelope.</li><li>Send it via a bank transfer.</li><li>Use a digital wallet.</li><li>Gift an e-voucher or e-gift card.</li></ul> All of these say “I care” without saying “See you in court.” Every year, Valentine’s Day turns into a creativity competition online. And while creativity is beautiful, it doesn’t override the law. Legal tender is not party décor. The naira is a national symbol and an economic tool — not craft material. At TwoCents, the message is simple: Love wisely. Spend wisely. And respect the currency. Because roses are red, love is sweet, but your Valentine’s Day shouldn’t come with a court date. Celebrate boldly. Just don’t staple the nation’s money to prove it.

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