The E-Naira speed wallet has disappeared from the Google Play Store barely 48 hours after its launch, The PUNCH has observed.
However, our correspondent learnt that the eNaira merchant wallet, which is designed for businesses, is still running and has over 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store made available to Android users.
Checks on the Apple App Store showed that the eNaira speed wallet was still active but had been upgraded.
To access the eNaira, users have to download the ‘speed wallet’, which allows them to conduct transactions with speed and ease. It is a digital storage that holds the eNaira and is held and managed on a distributed ledger.
Before it disappeared, the speed wallet had a rating of 2.0 from 2, 150 reviews as of Tuesday evening with many complaining of glitches.
Four hours after President Muhammadu Buhari launched the digital currency, eNaira App, Nigerians are having problems signing into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) digital currency platform.
The eNaira, which was launched 24 days behind schedule, has recorded more than 5000 downloads on Google Playstore and 442 reviews by downloaders, who rated the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) mobile app 2.3 out of five.
The eNaira was launched by the President on Monday.
Complaints have trailed the app’s functionality as users encountered two problems, email, and Bank Verification Number (BVN) confirmation.
But the latter was common among individuals who had downloaded the App.
Attempts by Ripples Nigeria to log into the App were unsuccessful with the message below appearing on the system.
“We have encountered a problem with the BVN validation service, please try again later. Service timeout.” the eNaira App stated after initially showing “Oops, an error occurred, please try again later.”
A quick check on Google Playstore showed a series of complaints with one Nkwachiukwu Cornelius stating: “I am being asked to sign up through my bank only. Is there no other alternative method for signing up? I have tried signing up through my bank but the system is having a problem verifying BVN.”
Another user, Blessing Kay Fash, said: “A great initiative from CBN. However, 2 stars because l am unable to sign in after passing through the first steps of registration using my bank, full name, phone number, and BVN. Not knowing what is happening!”
Etubi Paul retorted: “After filling my details (Names, BVN, DOB, Account Number) it brings a red pop-up message that says, ‘We have encountered a problem with the BVN validation service.’ Pls work on this. The 2 STAR is for the availability of the app in the first place though.”
Biletiri Andrew said: “My BVN is not verified, please how this error can be rectified? It keeps telling me I should try again later or contact support.”
Titilope James lamented, “I give one star only. I tried my best to register but keep saying TOO MANY FAILED ATTEMPT ON BVN. Pls help me out.”
On his part, Chinedum Emezie said: “Very poor app, I filled in all my details correctly and yet it keeps telling me that my account number is incorrect even though it is after several trials it now tells me to contact customer support. Too many attempts were made with the same BVN. Very poor and how can I get this solved.”
Hassan Ahmad noted: “The steps are too much for an average person. Why can’t you just register people with their BVN? I have put all details but it’s saying the first name doesn’t match.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria has integrated 33 Banks into the eNaira platform with N500m successfully minted by the apex bank for the take off of the digital currency programme.
The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said this on Monday at the official launch of the Nigerian Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), known as the eNaira, at the State House, Abuja.
The launch of the eNaira is a culmination of several years of research work by the Central Bank of Nigeria in advancing the boundaries of payments system in order to make financial transactions easier and seamless for every strata of the society.
Following series of engagements with relevant stakeholders including the banking community, fintech operators, merchants and a cross section of Nigerians, the CBN designed the digital currency.
The eNaira, according to the apex bank, marks a major step forward in the evolution of money in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Emefiele said since the eNaira platform went live, there has been overwhelming interest and encouraging response from Nigerians and other parties across the world with over 2.5 million daily visits to the website.
He said so far, N200m has been issued to financial institutions, while over 2,000 customers have been onboarded.
According to him, over 120 merchants have successfully registered on the eNaira platform.
He said, “Today, customers who download the eNaira Speed Wallet App will be able to onboard and create their wallet; fund their eNaira wallet from their bank account; transfer eNaira from their wallet to another waller; make payment for purchases at registered merchant locations.
“Mr President, today you make history, yet again, with the launch of the eNaira – the first in Africa and one of the earliest around the world.
“Mr. President, as you make ground breaking reforms, there have been continuing debate on the true value of the Naira.
“Rather than worry today on the direction of the exchange rate, let us take a step back and analyze how we got here in the first place.”
