Sometimes I usually wonder if all Nigerian banks are ripe enough for this ATM/Debit Card of a thing.

With the introduction of ATM cards and machines in most banks, it is the general assumption that the era of long queues has come to an end…. in other words, you could enter into a bank or any other place where there’s an ATM Machine and withdraw your money without hussle or stress……

But picture this - I had the intention of going to the bank very early (pay in a cheque and withdraw from the ATM), so that I could return home quickly to finish some uncompleted assignment.

On getting to this YES Bank, I went straight for the ATM Machine where I met a long queue - I had to key in a space there for myself before I went into the banking hall to pay in a cheque, at the counter/teller…. whatever, I was delayed there with the lady behind the counter - stressed up, telling me to hold on while he gets one Mr. XYZ in charge of collecting cheques. I waitied and waited and when I was finally answered, I went bank outside - where is the long queue, they’ve dispersed - wetin happen, "server don go", "no service", "your financial institution is not available"……and all that. I waited again and finally the server came back and I eventually withdrew my money after spending close to an hour and 30 minutes for what should have taken me less than 10minutes.

The ATM Machine called as Automated Thiefing Machine by a complainant in one of our National dailies is no doubt a good development in the Nigerian Financial System, but there has been a whole lot of complaints, like shortpayinga customer, "swallowing" your card, deducting your money when actually you didn’t withdraw and no server/service - though some of these are complaints arises from users’ ignorance.

But Nonetheless, let the ATM companies and Banks do something about their machines and increase their enlightment programme on the usage of the cards among users as most governments staffs (receiving their salary from these banks) are compelled to obtain the ATM cards.