The Central Bank of Nigeria has instructed commercial banks to prevent customers from using their debit and credit cards abroad.
A bank has emailed customers to this effect, emphasizing that it is a “temporary measure”.
Access to foreign online retailers will also be affected when the ban takes effect on 1 January 2016.
It is an agenda of the government’s effort to try to control the flow of foreign exchange circulating in the country.
The value of the Naira, has decrease due to the fall in the oil price – its main export. Although some top shops in London has Hausa’s to take care of their foreign exchange needs.
One of the banks, Standard Chartered, has sent email to its customers notifying them of the ban.
In June, the central bank banned businesses from accessing hard currency to import about 40 items.
