Nigerians applying for new passports through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal are encountering significant issues with online payment.
The NIS confirmed technical difficulties with their payment platform, leading to frustration and inconvenience among applicants. The service disruption has left many unable to complete their transactions, causing delays and financial losses.
The NIS acknowledged the problem in a statement titled “Technical Glitches with Online Payment Platform,” and assured that efforts are underway to resolve the issue. Despite these assurances, many citizens are dissatisfied with the prolonged disruption.
Lagos-based fintech analyst Epa Stevens noted that while platforms like Interswitch and Remita have efficiently supported the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the transition to a new NIS payment system has led to breakdowns, raising concerns about its capacity to handle TSA demands.
Affected individuals, such as Michael Adigun, are struggling to pay for their passports, while others like Obinna Okafor, who urgently needs to travel, are calling for alternative payment options.
The NIS recently increased passport processing fees to ₦100,000, as announced by DCI Kenneth Udo, in an effort to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.