Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It summarises the relevant law as publicly available and references cases that were widely reported in Nigerian media. Laws and their enforcement are subject to change. Readers should consult a qualified legal professional for advice specific to their situation.
Spraying naira notes at parties is widely practised in Nigeria — but it has been a criminal offence under Nigerian law for many years. Awareness of this has increased significantly as regulators have reportedly become more active in enforcement.
What the law says
Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act prohibits the spraying, squeezing, mutilating, or otherwise damaging of naira notes. The law applies to social events specifically. The stated penalty is imprisonment for not less than six months, a fine of not less than ₦50,000, or both. Readers are encouraged to consult the CBN Act directly or seek legal advice for authoritative interpretation.
This provision has existed for a long time. According to widely circulated media reports, enforcement activity by the EFCC and CBN has increased in visibility in recent years.
Widely reported enforcement cases
The following cases were widely reported across Nigerian news outlets and social media. Giftinz has not independently verified the details of any case, and the information below is based solely on publicly circulated media reporting at the time. These individuals may have since resolved, appealed, or had their cases concluded — readers should consult current reporting for the latest status.
- Bobrisky — reportedly received a 6-month prison sentence in connection with naira abuse (widely reported, 2024)
- Teee Dollar — reportedly sentenced to 6 months following a viral video allegedly showing naira notes being sprayed (widely reported)
- Cubana Chief Priest — reportedly arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos; bail was allegedly set at ₦10 million (widely reported)
- E-Money — reportedly arrested in connection with the spraying of naira and foreign currency at public events (widely reported)
- Several other entertainment figures — reportedly invited for questioning by law enforcement in connection with spraying-related content circulating on social media (widely reported)
According to media reports, enforcement activity has increased significantly and has targeted high-profile individuals. The pattern reported in the press suggests that public and social media visibility of spraying incidents has been a factor in drawing regulatory attention.
What some people switched to — and the limitations
According to widely circulated reports, some event hosts and attendees switched to spraying foreign currency in response to the naira-specific provisions of the CBN Act. Foreign currency transactions at social events may carry their own regulatory considerations under CBN foreign exchange guidelines — readers should seek legal advice on this point.
In any case, spraying foreign currency does not solve the underlying practical problem — cash on a floor still has no name attached to it, and the same informal collection dynamic applies regardless of denomination.
The legal alternative
Digital spray through the Giftinz sprayboard significantly reduces the legal exposure that physical cash spraying carries under Section 21. No notes are handled, folded, sprayed, or damaged. Every transaction is processed through a CBN-licensed payment infrastructure. You get a receipt. There is a full audit trail. That is exactly what the law requires. See our FAQ for common questions.
And the experience of spraying stays intact. You walk to the floor. Your name appears on the sprayboard. The crowd reacts. The money lands in the celebrant's wallet instantly.
Spray legally. Spray digitally.
See how digital spray works