As Nigerians approach the end of 2023, financial institutions in the country are currently facing a tough time as they have been experiencing service downtime, such as cash scarcity, network glitch and IT-related issues for over two weeks.
Some customers who spoke with newsmen lamented over delay in transactions in the banking halls, inability to access enough cash from banks, failed transactions on digital banking platforms as a result of network issues and system breakdown.
Others complained bitterly over difficulties in accessing their mobile apps, while some complained about non-reversal of ATM failed transactions, among other issues. For some customers, the crowd in banking halls discouraged them from visiting the banks to lodge complaints. Other respondents said visiting the bank was frustrating, because they had to wait for hours before they were attended to.
On Friday, some banks were giving customers as low as N5000 inside the banking halls, irrespective of the amount needed by the customer, while the ATMs were completely unable to dispense cash.
Desmond, a data analyst and a Sterling bank customer experienced difficulties in accessing his mobile app and making payments after ordering food at a restaurant. He said the service downtime was embarrassing and a hindrance to the Government’s cashless economy policy.
“The Central Bank keeps pushing for a cashless economy, but the question is: are Nigerian banks ready? How do you drive towards a cashless economy when the systems of banks keep breaking down every now and then?” he bemoaned.
