Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s economic outlook, predicting a severe cash scarcity that could destabilize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration if urgent measures are not taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Speaking during a prophetic session with his congregation, Ayodele declared that beginning from February through March next year, Nigerians may face a new wave of cash shortages, potentially worse than the controversial naira redesign crisis of 2023. “From February, March next year, we’ll be buying more money. More money. We’ll be buying more money because there will be ordering of cash,” the cleric said.
According to him, the looming crisis could lead to a situation where physical naira notes become scarce commodities, forcing Nigerians to purchase cash at a premium. “Naira will be off. They will be buying it. So Central Bank should work quickly on this. This is an information. If you like, do it. If you like, don’t do it,” Ayodele warned.
The prophet stressed that the issue, if left unaddressed, would have serious political consequences for the current administration. He noted that cash scarcity, coupled with economic hardship, could provide a potent tool for the opposition to discredit Tinubu’s government. “This will give Tinubu government a wrong signal that they will use to defeat him. They will hold money. And that will mess up Tinubu’s government,” he stated.
Ayodele’s prophecy echoes the bitter memories of the cash shortage that rocked the country during the twilight of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, where citizens struggled with access to redesigned naira notes amid inflation and rising costs of living. That period sparked public outrage, widespread protests, and disruptions to small-scale businesses.
This time, Ayodele is urging proactive measures to avert a recurrence. He specifically called on the Central Bank to step up its regulatory oversight and implement effective monetary policies that will stabilize cash flow in the economy. “Central Bank should work quickly on this,” he said emphatically, suggesting that inaction could leave the government vulnerable.
While raising the alarm, Ayodele also called for prayers for President Tinubu, acknowledging the weight of the challenges facing his administration. “And the man is, we need prayers for him. We need prayers for him,” he added, appealing to Nigerians not only to hold leaders accountable but also to intercede spiritually on their behalf.
Reactions to Ayodele’s latest prophecy have been swift. Supporters describe his words as a timely warning that should not be ignored, while critics argue that his predictions are alarmist. Nonetheless, given his history of accurate political and economic forecasts, his remarks have drawn attention from analysts and policymakers.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with inflation, currency depreciation, and rising unemployment, Ayodele’s prophecy highlights the delicate balance the Tinubu government must maintain to preserve public trust. Whether the Central Bank heeds his call remains uncertain, but many believe ignoring such warnings could set the stage for fresh economic and political turmoil in 2026.
