Nigerians applying for passports through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal are facing major challenges due to persistent technical glitches with the online payment system. The ongoing issues have left many applicants stranded and frustrated, unable to complete their transactions.
The NIS acknowledged the problem in a statement titled “Technical Glitches with Online Payment Platform,” apologizing for the inconvenience and assuring the public that efforts are underway to restore seamless service as quickly as possible.
However, the disruption has continued to cause significant dissatisfaction among Nigerians. Lagos-based fintech analyst Epa Stevens highlighted the situation, saying, “Platforms like Interswitch and Remita have supported the Treasury Single Account (TSA) effectively. But with NIS transitioning to a new payment platform, we’ve seen a breakdown, disrupting services and raising concerns about the platform’s capacity to handle TSA demands.”
Many affected individuals, like Michael Adigun and Obinna Okafor, have voiced their concerns. Adigun, who is trying to pay for his new passport, has been unable to complete the transaction. Okafor, an importer needing to travel urgently to China, expressed frustration, saying, “NIS should provide an alternative payment channel.”
The continued malfunction has led to growing calls for a swift resolution as applicants count their losses.
Adding to the frustration, the NIS recently increased passport processing fees to ₦100,000, further complicating the situation for those unable to complete payments. The fee hike was announced by NIS spokesman DCI Kenneth Udo on August 21, 2024.
News Editor