Abuja, Nigeria – E don finally happen! Two big banks, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Wema Bank, don open the gate make international transactions on naira cards flow again. Na for Friday, July 4, 2025, dem announce am as e be like say na as dem wan make their customers enjoy better banking wahala-free.
Dis na big win for plenty Nigerians wey don dey suffer since 2022 when banks first lock the naira cards because of forex wahala. Customers fit now use their naira cards for everyday payments, online shopping, and even for POS and ATM transactions worldwide. E be like say UBA don turn the corner, see as dem dey gree everybody feel like VIPs now!
For UBA side, dem gree talk say: “All UBA Premium Naira Cards, including Gold, Platinum, and World variants, don dey enabled for international transactions.” Their customers fit flex and use the cards anywhere wey Sapa no go disturb dem.
Wema Bank too no wan carry last. Dem tell their customers say: “Your Wema Naira Mastercard just went global! Now you fit pay in dollars on places like Amazon, Netflix, and eBay! No need to dey find dollar-pin or struggle again.” (This one go make una shopping dey sweet pass!)
But wetin cause dis sudden new dawn for naira card? Experts from Agusto & Co, led by Ayokunle Olubunmi, talk say e be like say forex market don dey get better and liquidity don improve. So, banks fit dey reactivate the naira cards wey dem don suspend before. Plus, dem don notice say naira don dey appreciate small-small against major currencies, wahala no be like before.
Charles Sanni, wey na the CEO of Cowry Treasurers, gree say, “The gap between the official and parallel market rates don shrink, so banks fit resume international transactions. Say na especially now wey diaspora remittance don increase since Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) open door for non-resident Nigerians.”(Big up to CBN as dem dey try hold everything down!)
As at 2022-2023, plenty banks, including Standard Chartered, First Bank, and GTBank, na dem dey put stop for international transactions due to forex scarcity wey no allow anybody chop dollar in peace. But now, dem don change their mind make the people happier.
Even GTBank don follow the trend, announce say dem throw open Naira Mastercard for global use again. Customers fit even get higher transaction limits (Make we no carry last!) Dem be no need to dey rush third-party apps again, una fit go all out and pay like normal people.
We dey expect more banks go jump on dis train as dem no wan carry last in this competitive banking market. Customers fit now dey feel free again, no more problems with payment. Dis one na better opportunity to boost business and customer satisfaction. E be like say naira don finally free!
