The Federal Government may soon begin using the eNaira platform to pay workers’ salaries, pensions, and social welfare benefits as part of efforts to expand the adoption of Nigeria’s digital currency.

The proposal is contained in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new payments roadmap, known as the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, which outlines strategies for strengthening digital payments and increasing the use of the eNaira across the economy.

According to the plan, the Central Bank of Nigeria intends to transform the eNaira from a largely experimental platform into a mainstream payment channel for government institutions, businesses, and individuals.

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Launched in October 2021, the eNaira became Africa’s first central bank digital currency. The initiative was introduced to promote financial inclusion, reduce the cost of transactions, support the cashless policy, and simplify domestic money transfers.

However, despite its ambitious objectives, the platform has experienced relatively slow adoption among Nigerians since its introduction.

The new roadmap signals a renewed push by the CBN to increase its relevance in daily financial activities by integrating it into key government payment systems.

Under the proposal, public-sector salaries, pension payments, conditional cash transfers, social intervention programmes, and other government disbursements could eventually be processed through the digital currency platform.

The CBN also identified support for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as offline payment capabilities, as important areas for the future expansion of the eNaira.

Officials believe these features could improve accessibility, particularly in communities with limited internet connectivity or banking infrastructure.

The apex bank stated that it plans to review and strengthen the current framework governing the digital currency to ensure it aligns with evolving market needs and operational requirements.

One of the unique features highlighted in the roadmap is the eNaira’s ability to support programmable payments.

According to the CBN, the technology could allow funds to be designed for specific purposes, providing greater control and transparency in how government payments are utilized.

Such capabilities may include setting spending deadlines on funds, restricting transactions to approved categories, automatically dividing payments among beneficiaries, and creating separate digital wallets for different financial purposes.

Supporters argue that these features could improve the efficiency of welfare programmes and reduce leakages in public spending.

If implemented, the initiative could significantly increase the use of the eNaira and accelerate Nigeria’s transition toward a more digitally driven financial system.

Analysts note that widespread adoption will depend on public trust, ease of use, technological infrastructure, and the ability of the platform to offer practical advantages over traditional banking channels.

The proposal remains part of the CBN’s long-term strategy and is expected to undergo further evaluation as authorities work to modernize Nigeria’s payment ecosystem and deepen financial inclusion nationwide.