The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has advised Nigerians not to pay officers when applying for an international passport.
According to NIS, it is not only illegal for applicants to demand money to expedite the process, but it is also illegal for officers to demand money to expedite the process.
Amos Okpu, NIS‘s public relations officer, confirmed in an exclusive interview that a 32-page international passport will cost only N26,000.
Okpu confirmed the steps, adding that NIS is one of the first agencies to embrace online applications and payment processes.
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He stated:
“For instance, applications and payment for Passports are expected to be made via passport.immigration.gov.ng by the applicants themselves. “This is intended to eliminate all forms of cash transactions and also simplify the process across our offices. I must note that we don’t yet have a perfect system but we constantly request our people to endeavour to follow the process we have emplaced. We also expect our people to make conscious efforts to plan their travels well ahead of time to avoid last minute rush.”
“At the moment, we have a Passport appointment system in place but you find mounting requests for waivers&of course, this will not allow for neat processes and procedures.”
How to report officers demanding money
Okpu further urged Nigerians to stop paying money to immigration officers and immediately report officers.
“The online process is there first to eliminate cases of anyone demanding any money.
“Applicants who sit in the comfort of their homes/offices to apply&make payments wouldn’t be talking about frustration by anyone.
“However, if we receive reports about any Personnel collecting money, of course the rules will naturally be applied. Where it’s proven beyond a reasonable doubt, appropriate sanctions are applied.
“Our complaints channels include nis.pro@immigration.gov.ng; nis.servicom@immigration.gov.ng; +2438021819988; twitter&facebook handles(@nigimmigration).”
