The Federal Government is considering a new payment system that could see salaries, pensions, and social welfare benefits disbursed through the eNaira platform as part of efforts to expand the adoption of Nigeria’s digital currency.
The proposal forms part of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, a strategic roadmap designed to deepen digital payment adoption and strengthen the role of the eNaira in the country’s financial ecosystem.
The eNaira, launched in October 2021 as Africa’s first central bank digital currency (CBDC), was introduced to promote financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, support a cashless economy, and simplify money transfers. However, despite its ambitious objectives, the digital currency has faced challenges in achieving widespread acceptance among Nigerians.
According to the CBN, the next phase of the initiative will focus on transforming the eNaira from a pilot project into a mainstream payment channel for both public and private sector transactions.
“The objective is to reposition the eNaira as a key component of Nigeria’s payment infrastructure by expanding its practical use cases and ensuring it meets evolving market demands,” the apex bank stated in the roadmap.
The document identified several areas where the digital currency could be deployed, including government-to-person payments, salary administration, welfare disbursements, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and offline transactions.
If implemented, the initiative could enable government employees, pensioners, and beneficiaries of social intervention programmes to receive payments directly through eNaira wallets.
The CBN also highlighted the digital currency’s programmable features, which could introduce new ways of managing public funds and targeted payments.
“Programmable payment capabilities can allow funds to be used only for approved purposes, impose spending timelines, automate payment splitting, and create dedicated wallets for specific financial needs,” the bank explained.
Financial analysts say such features could improve transparency and accountability in government disbursements while encouraging greater adoption of digital payments across the country.
The proposed expansion comes as the CBN seeks to address the low uptake of the eNaira and accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward a more digitally driven economy.
While no implementation date has been announced, the proposal signals the government’s intention to make the eNaira a central tool in future payment and financial inclusion strategies.
