At a Nigerian wedding reception, the moment the couple steps onto the dance floor, guests reach for their wallets. Notes rain down, a helper gathers them into a basket, and the MC calls for more. It is one of the most joyful sights in West Africa. It is also, in Nigeria, a criminal offence.
The law
Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 makes it an offence to spray, dance on or trample the naira at social occasions. The penalty is a fine of at least 50,000 naira, imprisonment of not less than six months, or both. For years the law was rarely enforced.
The Bobrisky case
That changed in 2024. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted several celebrities for naira abuse. In April 2024, the social media personality Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, was sentenced to six months in prison without the option of a fine after pleading guilty to spraying and tampering with naira notes at a film premiere. Other celebrities faced charges as well.
The case was widely discussed across Nigeria, and many planners and MCs began warning guests before receptions.
How couples adapt
Nigerian couples have found ways to keep the tradition’s joy while reducing the risk.
Hand the money over. Guests can walk up and place notes in the couple’s hands, or into a decorated basket or box, rather than throwing them.
Use envelopes. Money in envelopes can be gifted on the dance floor without notes being scattered and stepped on.
Transfers. Some couples display account details or QR codes for cash gifts. It is less dramatic but practical, and it avoids carrying large amounts of cash.
Designated collectors. Assign trusted people to gather money quickly, so notes are not trampled.
Ghana and elsewhere
Spraying cedis is also common at Ghanaian weddings, particularly in the south. The same courtesy applies there: do not throw money on the floor, and make sure notes are gathered quickly.
A tip for guests
If you plan to spray, change your money into small notes before the day, and carry an envelope as a backup. Crisp new notes from the bank look better in photos and are easier for the collectors to count at the end of the night.
The couple should feel celebrated, and the money should end up with them rather than under the dancers’ feet. That was always the point.
