Immigration bans cash payment for processing Passports, introduces new procedures and gives out phone number to report erring officials

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has banned cash payments for passport processing as part of efforts to eliminate corruption at all passport offices nationwide,
NIS spokesperson, Sunday James, disclosed this in an interview on Monday August 28, in Abuja.

He said the Comptroller General of the NIS, Muhammad Babandede, had directed that henceforth all payments for passport processing must be done online and through designated banks‎.‎ The NIS boss had in a circular, directed all passport control officers not to allow cash payments in any of the passport premises.

‎“All payments in respect to passport processing are to be done by applicants through banks to generate application ID and reference number on the NIS portal and not through an individual or touts,” Mr. James said.

‎According to him, the NIS CG has also ordered an‎ investigation into allegations of passport racketeering at some passport offices in Lagos with a view to sanitising the system.‎

Mr. James therefore urged passport applicants to ensure that all categories of Nigerian passports fees were done online.

‎“Passport applicants are therefore strongly advised to visit the NIS website www.immigration.gov.ng to confirm the approved fees for all categories of Nigerian Passports and age groups before making payments,” he added.

He said the management of all passport offices have been directed to paste all information required at the premises to guide applicants in line with the executive orders.

‎He urged Nigerians to direct any complaint or enquiries to 07080607900 and the email address nis.servicom@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng.
From 2018, the Nigerian e-passport will be produced within the country.The immigration boss made his comments during an oversight visit by members of the House of Reps. Committee on Interior.
Babandede said local production of the passports would be achieved by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Ltd. in 2018; and the immigration service is working very hard towards that.

Good one!!!