The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disowned a purported approval letter authorising the release of a $46 billion grant, describing the document circulating online as fake.
The apex bank issued the clarification after the document, which bears the date August 13, 2026, began circulating publicly and purportedly linked the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, to the approval of the funds.
The development adds to a growing number of fraudulent communications circulated online in the names of Nigerian financial institutions and companies.
The document purportedly showed the approval of $46 billion for Atufeg Empowerment and Development Center and one Amb. Engr. Atunde Femi Gabriel.
It claimed the funds were approved for the execution of “national empowerment and developmental projects” and authorized the immediate transfer of the money to the beneficiaries’ designated account.
The letter also purported to carry the authority of the CBN governor, giving the impression that the transaction had received approval from the apex bank.
The CBN, however, said it had no connection with the purported approval.
In a post on X on Thursday, the apex bank described the document as fake and advised members of the public to disregard it.
“This content is fake. Let the public be guided,” the CBN said.
The bank also published an image of the purported letter marked “Fake Content”.
The CBN has previously warned Nigerians about fraudulent schemes and documents falsely attributed to the institution.
It has advised members of the public to obtain information about its policies and activities through its official communication channels.
Similarly, OPay on August 31 dismissed as false a notice claiming that it would suspend transactions and account-related services from September 1, 2026.
The fintech also threatened legal action against an X user identified as Hafserh over the publication.
