No fewer than 50,000 Nigerians have downloaded the eNaira application, 24 hours after it was launched by the Federal Government.
This is as many users gave negative reviews of the application.
On Google Play Store, the application is rated two stars of the obtainable five stars.
Though Apple App Store did not show the number of downloads, the App is rated four of five.
The 8.8 megabytes app is designed with green as its dominant colour, with a mixture of white and black.
According to the offeror of the App, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the 1.0.0 version needs permission to take pictures and videos.
“eNaira Speed Wallet is a fast and convenient way to conduct financial transactions. Your money is guaranteed and secured with the Central Bank of Nigeria. eNaira Speed wallet is a fast and convenient way to conduct financial transactions,” CBN said while telling users about the App.
It was observed that it enables payment of people using only their verified user name.
However, many users complained of bugs.
According to them, they encountered challenges trying to set up an account.
While some said the App is not accepting their e-mail addresses, others complained that it was rejecting their Bank Verification Numbers.
Some users also said activation email goes into junk and spam folders.
One of them, Omenkukwu Chinedu, said, “Very poor user experience so far. It is a known fact that email was not a mandatory requirement setting up BVN, now this app wants to use the BVN email. This will stampede a lot of people trying to update their BVN.”
Oghenevwogaga Olotu added, “About 80 per cent of Nigerians don’t have emails linked to their BVN and to use the app they expect Nigerians to start going to banks to fic it just to use an app? If CBN wants eNaira wallet to be used in our day-to-day living, then they should make it easy to use and accessible for everyone. Everything in Nigeria always has to be complicated.”
Kadiri Akeem said, “Great App and seems promising. More than an hour after I agreed the activation link should be sent to my email, it has not been sent. I have requested a resend several times, yet no response.”
Also, Anyaogu Peter said, “I don’t have access to the email linked to my BVN anymore. To use your App, I will have to go and change it. A better way would have been to use phone numbers. That would accommodate everyone.”
Gieve Blackjoe expressed displeasure over the App, saying, “When I read about this innovation by CBN, I was thrilled but I am not enthused anymore. I am rather being discouraged from using this maiden platform that should be seamless as anticipated. I will uninstall it.”
George Victor complained that he was finding it difficult to transact on the App.
“I have successfully registered and the App is working well but there is no means of crediting the eNaira wallet. I checked banks’ mobile App (Zenith, Access, Gtbank). There is no option of sending money to eNaira wallet. This is making the eNaira wallet look useless,” he said.
Reacting to the complaints, CBN said, “We apologise for the difficulties you experienced while registering with us. We understand this can be frustrating.
“We would chat with you with regards to your experience with us. We are working hard to improve the App.
“We are working towards making this better. We regret the inconvenience you had faced. helpdesk@enaira.gov.ng.”
PUNCH
