A newly-introduced UK visa application system, which is said to mandate all Nigerian applicants to make payments in the US currency, has Lagos lawmakers up in arms.

Nigeria’s Lagos State House of Assembly has appealed to the British High Commission to review the system, as lawmakers in West African country say the UK government is trying to prevent Nigerians from travelling to that country.

The new online visa application payment system only accepts payments in US dollars via a Verve debit card, Visa or Mastercard (credit or debit card) or the mobile money system PAGA.

And in a statement signed by the Lagos State House of Assembly chairman, Segun Olulade, the house has criticised the system saying that Nigeria does not compel UK citizens to make payment only in naira while applying for a Nigerian visa in the UK.

“While the new payment system is good for streamlining visa application system, option of payment via naira master card should have been included since not all applicants are expected to possess a domiciliary account or dollar master cards,” Olulade stated.

The lawmakers also say that the inclusion of a naira payment system will accord respect and dignity to diplomatic and trade partnerships between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The statement has further called on the British Government, through its High Commission in Nigeria, to review the new visa application payment system.