The Federal Government is weighing a plan that could see salaries, pensions, and social welfare payments processed through the eNaira as part of a broader effort to expand the use of digital payments across the country.

The proposal is contained in the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, a policy roadmap issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which outlines how the country’s central bank digital currency could be moved from limited pilot use into mainstream financial operations.

Under the plan, government-to-person payments such as payroll, pension disbursements, and conditional cash transfers may eventually be routed through the eNaira platform. Authorities say this would improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen the cashless economy agenda.

Launched in 2021, the eNaira was introduced as Africa’s first central bank digital currency, aimed at boosting financial inclusion and modernising payment systems. However, adoption has remained relatively modest despite multiple regulatory efforts to promote its use.

The new roadmap proposes expanding its role beyond experimental use, positioning it as a core payment channel for both public and private sector transactions. It also highlights potential features such as programmable payments, including spending limits, targeted disbursements, and automated payment splitting.

Officials further suggest that the digital currency could be integrated into broader financial infrastructure, supporting faster settlement systems, improved banking operations, and even tokenised financial assets like bonds.

The policy direction is outlined in the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, which sets out plans to modernise Nigeria’s financial ecosystem through stronger digital infrastructure and wider adoption of fintech solutions.

Despite reporting millions of registered wallets and transactions worth billions of naira, the eNaira has struggled with low merchant usage and limited integration into everyday payment systems.

To address these gaps, the central bank is considering deeper collaboration with fintech firms through open application programming interfaces, as well as possible cross-border digital currency partnerships with selected countries.

The plan reflects a growing global trend, as many countries continue to explore central bank digital currencies as alternatives to cash and private payment systems.