The Central Bank of Nigeria has rejected a purported approval letter circulating online which claimed that Governor Olayemi Cardoso authorised a $46bn grant to a development centre and an individual beneficiary.
The document, dated August 13, 2026, claimed that the apex bank had approved the release of the funds to Atufeg Empowerment and Development Center and Amb. Engr. Atunde Femi Gabriel.
According to the circulating letter, the money was intended to finance what it described as “approved national empowerment and developmental projects.”
The document further claimed that the CBN had given its full approval for the funds to be transferred immediately to the designated account of the supposed beneficiary.
However, the central bank has distanced itself from the document, describing it as fraudulent.
In a post on its official X account on Thursday, the CBN urged members of the public to disregard the purported approval.
“This content is fake. Let the public be guided,” the apex bank said.
The central bank also published an image of the document with a prominent “Fake Content” label.
The development comes as the CBN continues to caution Nigerians against fraudulent documents and schemes falsely presented as official communications from the institution.
The apex bank has previously warned the public about fake contract awards, financial offers and other fraudulent activities carried out using its name and identity.
It advised Nigerians to verify information concerning its policies, programmes and activities through the bank’s official communication platforms before taking any action.
The latest incident also reflects a broader pattern in which organisations have been forced to publicly disown messages circulated by individuals impersonating their brands.
On August 19, pharmaceutical company May & Baker Nigeria Plc warned the public about a fake investment scheme being promoted online using the company’s name.
Similarly, fintech company 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 company subsequently threatened legal action against an X user, identified as Hafserh, over claims that it planned to suspend its services.
The CBN’s latest warning reinforces the need for members of the public to verify purported official documents and financial offers through authorised channels, particularly where they involve large sums of money or requests for financial transactions.
