The traditional “banknote shower” in Nigeria, in the sights of the authorities

Newlyweds dance in a Lagos party hall, Nigeria, and their loved ones approach them, placing 500 naira bills, about 0.33 cents, on the floor and in several silver bowls.

With these new practices, increasingly common in the country, Nigerians avoid the “naira spraying”, a popular tradition, now banned, of throwing bills during weddings, parties and musical events.

To fight against “naira spraying”considered disrespectful by the authorities, the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a crackdown against several public figures.

Now, both guests and organizers prefer to be cautious, aware that EFCC investigators may find videos of their parties on social media.

“People throw bills on the ground, but not like before. They don’t want problems”explained a musician who performed at a recent wedding in the Ikeja neighborhood of Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria.

A couple shared a video on social media showing bills printed with their image, so guests could legally throw them into the air during their wedding.

The EFCC campaign comes as Nigeria attempts to stabilize its currency, the naira, whose value relative to the dollar has fallen sharply since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power in May 2023 and introduced economic reforms.

The exchange rate of the naira to the dollar went from 450 to one dollar, a year ago, to about 1,500 currently.

Root in Yoruba culture

According to Professor Ayodele Yusuf of the University of Lagos, the “naira spraying” It is a practice that has its roots in Yoruba culture, where people with titles of nobility and artists received showers of banknotes as thanks during the festivities.

This practice spread to other ethnic groups in Nigeria, becoming inevitable on big occasions.

In recent weeks, several arrests have curbed the enthusiasm for this tradition, at least in public. “No other country allows this practice. “We are determined to change it,” said Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson in an interview with Arise news television channel.

According to the central bank of Nigeria, the “naira spraying” attacks the symbol of “sovereignty of the country” and may be punished with “a prison sentence, a fine, or both.”

A court last month sentenced one of the country’s biggest LGBT+ celebrities, a trans woman known as Bobrisky, to six months in prison after finding her guilty of throwing bills into the air during the film’s premiere. “Ajakaju”in Lagos, on March 24.

Nigerian actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin was also sentenced to six months in prison in February after being filmed walking on banknotes after throwing them into the air.

On the other hand, some critics have highlighted that there are personalities and politicians who, despite having been recorded doing the same thing, have not had to appear before the authorities.

Some point out that the EFCC intends to divert attention from its anti-corruption mission with this repressive campaign against “naira spraying”, highly commented.

“They have destroyed marriages”a Lagos lawyer told AFP during a music event. “It was the moment that people enjoyed the most“, he pointed.

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