Victor EzejaNigerians have criticised the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), over the technical glitch in its payment platform for passport applications.
They alleged that the technical glitch is deliberate, as the deadline for passport fee increase approaches.
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The Nigeria Immigration Service in a public notice released Friday, 23rd August, via its official X handle apologised for the technical problem which has affected online payments for passport applications.
In the statement, the agency expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the downtime. The agency assured that it will be resolved within the shortest possible time.
The 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 agency’s confirmation of the technical glitch came after numerous reports from Nigerians encountering challenges while attempting to complete their passport applications through the NIS online portal.
The technical glitch comes days after the Immigration Service announced an upward review of fees for categories of Nigerian Standard Passport.
Prime Business Africa had reported that the NIS on Wednesday, 21st August announced that with effect from 1st September 2024, those residing in Nigeria will now be subjected to pay ₦50,000 for a 32-page Standard Passport booklet with 5 years validity against the previous ₦35,000. The agency also said the 64-page booklet with 10 years validity increases from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000.
Checks by Prime Business Africa reveals that common issues complained about by Nigerians across social media platforms include inability to verify National Identity Number (NIN) due to failure of connection with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database.
An X user with username Carta and handle @Seuncarta said: ” I am unable to verify my NIN to proceed to renew my passport, I am getting the below error message for days now.”
Another X user with username Renewedtaste Snacks Cafe said: “I have not been able to register for passport renewal online, keep getting ‘Invalid NIN’. Meanwhile my NIN is valid.”
This development comes as a frustration to many who have urgent need to travel, coupled with the approaching deadline for passport fee increase
Some criticised NIS on X alleging that the technical hitch is deliberate to frustrate Nigerians who want to complete application before the fee increase takes effect on 1 September 2024.
Monday Best @Mondaybest13 said: “It is just to stop people from paying the old price so that the new price will catch up on them.”
“Frustrate the process so the increment will catch up by September 1,2024. Very wicked,” Kush Alabi with handle @KushAlabi wrote.
“Increased the fee for registration and now the site is down. Renewed shege indeed!!”
Another X user, Akinwunmi Olutayo said: “You guys did this on purpose so that people won’t be able to make payment before the date of the new fee.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
