The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says its online payment platform is having technical glitches.
This has led to Nigerians who paid for new passports through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal calculating their losses after the online payment platform for applications had technical issues.
NIS revealed that their online payment platform for passport applicants had issues.
Observers believe that the rush to apply for new passport might not be unconnected with the August 31 deadline, after which passport applicants within Nigeria will pay ₦50,000 for a 32-page passport booklet with five years of validity, an increase from the previous ₦35,000 fee.
This is even as applicants within Nigeria will pay ₦100,000 for a 100-page passport booklet with 10-year validity, an increase from the previous ₦70,000 fee.
The news followed reports of Nigerians having difficulty completing their applications through the online platform.
In a statement titled, “Technical glitches with Online Payment Platform,” NIS noted the downtime and regretted the inconvenience caused.
The statement reassured the public that smooth service will be restored soon.
However, many people criticised the system and questioned why it was taking so long to resolve.
Epa Stevens, a Lagos-based fintech analyst, stated that platforms such as Interswitch and Remita have backed the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“However, with NIS transition to a new payment platform, we’ve witnessed a breakdown. This disrupts services and raises concerns about adequacy of the platform to handle demands of TSA effectively.”
Michael Adigun, said he cannot pay for a new passport.
Obinna Okafor, an importer, who needs to travel to China, said “NIS should provide alternative payment channel’’.
