The eNaira was launched and activated on 25 October 2021 by President Muhammad Buhari,[6] under the slogan: "Same Naira, More Possibilities".
Takeup has been sluggish. Fewer than 0.5% of Nigerians were using the eNaira within a year of its launch, despite discounts to encourage adoption.[7] As of 2024, most wallets are reportedly inactive.[8] Barriers include weak technology infrastructure, unreliable electricity, the lack of training for financial employees, anxieties about data privacy and financial crime,[2] low trust in government, and the exclusion of people without existing bank accounts.[8]