NIS disowns application, payment platform with religious organisation’s name
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disowned an application and payment platform bearing the name of a religious organisation. The service advised Nigerians seeking to apply for passports to go
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disowned an application and payment platform bearing the name of a religious organisation.
The service advised Nigerians seeking to apply for passports to go through an appropriate and recognised platform it officially approved.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, refuted the claims being circulated in public domains about its passport application and payment process.
“The NIS operates a secure, transparent, and government-approved passport application system, which is accessible exclusively through its official portal at http://passport.immigration.gov.ng.
“This remains the only authorised platform for all passport-related payments and processing activities for Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
“At no time has the service partnered with or authorised any religious organisation, private entity, or individual to act as an intermediary or receiving account on its behalf,” the statement said.
It added: “Recent allegations suggesting that the name of a religious organisation appears in the service’s payment process are entirely false and do not reflect the structure, integrity, or processes of the NIS.
“A simple review of our authorised payment portal confirms the transparency and authenticity of our platform. Any third-party payment links or platforms purporting to process passport payments on behalf of the NIS are fraudulent and should be avoided at all costs.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service has taken note of this purported allegation and is currently investigating the matter to uncover the sources of this false claim.
“Preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of a mischief-maker seeking to tarnish the reputation of the service or mislead the public for ulterior motives. Appropriate action will be taken against any individuals or groups found culpable.”
The statement also said: “It is important to reiterate that the NIS strictly adheres to government financial regulations and works exclusively with licensed and accredited payment service providers that are clearly indicated within its authorised payment portal.
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“Payments made outside the official channels provided by the NIS are made at the owner’s sole risk, and the Service takes no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience arising from such transactions.
“The public is strongly urged to exercise caution, access our services only via the official portal, and avoid any dealings with unauthorised agents, websites, or third-party platforms. The service does not recognise or provide any third-party payment alternatives for passport applications or related services.
“The service remains steadfast in ensuring the trust of Nigerians by continuously strengthening its systems and monitoring processes to prevent misuse, fraud, or misrepresentation.”
The NIS urged Nigerians seeking clarification and assistance to go through its communication channels, such as “X (Twitter): [@nigimmigration] (https://x.com/nigimmigration)
Instagram: [@nigimmigration] (https://instagram.com/nigimmigration)
Facebook: [@nigimmigration] (https://facebook.com/nigimmigration)
• Contact centre numbers: 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092 (available 24/7)
• WhatsApp: 0916087800, 09117717772.”
