The Nigeria Immigration Service has confirmed that its online payment platform for passport applications is experiencing technical difficulties.
This acknowledgment follows widespread reports from Nigerians struggling to complete their passport applications via the NIS online portal.
In a statement titled “Technical Glitches with Online Payment Platform,” released on August 23, 2024, the NIS addressed the ongoing issues and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to applicants.
The full statement reads: “Technical hitches with online payment platform.
“We apologise for the downtime being experienced with online applications on our Passport Service windows.
“The Service is assuring the public that within the shortest possible time, seamless service will be restored. All inconveniences this may have caused are highly regretted.
“Please bear with us.”
The service is reportedly working to resolve the problem and restore normal operations as soon as possible.
The technical glitch occurred just days after the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced an upward review of passport fees for Nigerians residing in the country, set to take effect on September 1, 2024.
The timing of the issue has heightened concerns among applicants already facing increased costs for passport processing.
Under the new pricing structure, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity will increase from N35,000 to N50,000. Additionally, the price for a 64-page passport booklet with a ten-year validity will rise from N70,000 to N100,000.
