The adoption of the eNaira, Nigeria's official digital currency, has been slow and faced several challenges. Here are some of the key reasons why Nigerians have not widely embraced the eNaira:

Limited awareness and understanding: Many Nigerians are still not aware of the eNaira or how to use it. The government's initial marketing efforts focused on promoting the eNaira to businesses and financial institutions, rather than reaching individual users. This lack of awareness has made it difficult for people to understand the benefits of eNaira and adopt it as their preferred payment method.
Technological barriers: The eNaira requires smartphones and internet access to use, which can be a challenge for many Nigerians, especially in rural areas. According to a 2022 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, only 44.1% of Nigerians have access to the internet, and only 39.7% have smartphones. This means that a significant portion of the population is unable to use the eNaira.
Lack of trust: Some Nigerians are concerned about the security and privacy of their eNaira holdings. The eNaira is a centralized digital currency, which means that the government has control over the currency and its users' data. This has raised concerns about potential data breaches and government overreach.
Competition from existing payment systems: Nigeria already has a well-developed financial ecosystem, including cash, bank transfers, and mobile money services. These existing systems are widely used and trusted by Nigerians, making it difficult for the eNaira to compete.
Mixed messaging from the government: The Nigerian government has implemented a number of policies that have been perceived as hostile to cryptocurrencies, even though the eNaira is a form of digital currency. This mixed messaging has confused many Nigerians and made them hesitant to adopt the eNaira.
Limited incentives for adoption: The government has not provided enough incentives for Nigerians to adopt the eNaira. For example, there are no cashback rewards or other benefits for using the eNaira. This lack of incentives has made it difficult to persuade people to switch from their existing payment methods.

To increase adoption, the government needs to address these challenges by improving awareness, lowering technological barriers, enhancing trust, strengthening competition, providing clear messaging, and offering incentives for adoption.