Nigerians are experiencing major difficulties with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal while applying for new passports. The online payment system has encountered technical issues, leaving many applicants stranded and frustrated.
Despite NIS's acknowledgment of the problem in a statement titled "Technical Glitches with Online Payment Platform" and assurances of ongoing efforts to restore service, many citizens remain dissatisfied with the prolonged disruption.
The malfunction has left numerous passport applicants counting their losses and demanding a swift resolution. Lagos-based fintech analyst Epa Stevens highlighted the challenges, noting, "Platforms like Interswitch and Remita have supported the Treasury Single Account (TSA) effectively.
However, with NIS transitioning to a new payment platform, we've witnessed a breakdown. This disrupts services and raises concerns about the platform's ability to handle the demands of the TSA effectively."
This issue arises shortly after NIS increased passport processing fees to ₦100k, intending to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.
The fee hike was disclosed in a statement by the NIS spokesman, DCI Kenneth Udo, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Udo stated that the Federal Government approved the upward review to ensure the quality and integrity of the passports.
The situation signifies broader challenges within Nigeria's immigration services and the impact of fee hikes on public sentiment. Many Nigerians, like Michael Adigun and Obinna Okafor, have voiced their dissatisfaction. Adigun is unable to pay for his new passport, while Okafor, an importer urgently needing to travel to China, lamented, "NIS should provide an alternative payment channel."
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