A Korean woman married to a Nigerian man has expressed frustration over her experience at a National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment office while trying to complete documentation for her newborn baby’s passport.
The woman, who shared her experience in a video posted online, said she became particularly upset when an official allegedly handled her baby’s fingers roughly while attempting to capture the infant’s fingerprints.
According to her, the experience was so distressing that it made her consider leaving Nigeria, despite having lived in the country for some time.
“For the first time in my whole stay in Nigeria, I felt like I wanted to japa because this happened to my baby,” she said.
Multiple Visits to NIN Office
The woman explained that obtaining the required documentation for the baby became a difficult process, as she and her family reportedly had to visit the office three separate times.
She said the problems began during one of their earlier visits when the staff member attending to them reportedly became ill.
According to her account, information required to continue processing the baby’s passport was stored on the staff member’s mobile phone. After the official became unavailable, the family allegedly could not access the information needed to proceed with the application.
The setback reportedly meant that the family had to return to the office on another day to continue the process.
Baby’s Fingerprints Become Major Concern
The woman said her greatest frustration came during the attempt to capture her newborn’s fingerprints.
She alleged that the officer handling the process pressed or handled the baby’s fingers roughly in an attempt to obtain the required biometric information.
The incident reportedly left her worried about the way her infant was being handled.
Biometric registration can be challenging when dealing with newborns because of their small fingers and the difficulty of obtaining clear fingerprints. However, the woman said the manner in which the process was carried out caused her considerable distress.
Her reaction also reflected the concerns of a parent witnessing what she considered rough treatment of her child during an official documentation process.
Third Visit Creates More Frustration
The woman said the family was still required to complete the baby’s photograph during their third visit.
According to her, the photograph had to be taken inside an office where several people were present.
She expressed concern about the environment, particularly because some of the people in the room were reportedly coughing while the newborn was being attended to.
For a mother with a very young baby, she said the situation was uncomfortable and added to the difficulties they had already experienced during the documentation process.
She subsequently described the overall experience as “horrible.”
Experience Sparks Online Reactions
The woman’s account has drawn attention online, particularly among Nigerians and other residents who have experienced difficulties with government documentation processes.
Her complaint highlights concerns that can arise when administrative procedures involving infants are carried out in crowded environments or under challenging conditions.
It also raises questions about how officials handle particularly vulnerable applicants, including newborns, during biometric registration and other documentation procedures.
For the woman, however, the experience was not simply about delays or inconvenience. Her strongest concern appeared to be the treatment of her baby during the fingerprint-capture process and the conditions under which the documentation was completed.
Allegations Remain Unverified
The claims made by the woman in the video have not been independently verified, and there has been no response from the specific NIN office or officials involved in the incident based on the information available.
Her account represents her personal experience and perception of what occurred during the visits.
Nevertheless, the incident has sparked renewed discussion about customer service, efficiency and the treatment of applicants at government offices, particularly when children and newborns are involved.
The woman’s experience also illustrates the frustration families can face when a seemingly straightforward documentation process requires multiple visits and encounters unexpected delays.
Despite her difficulties, her comments have generated a wider conversation about the need for government offices to provide more efficient, child-friendly and considerate services to members of the public seeking essential documentation.
