NIS Refutes Partnership With Religious Organisation For Passport Application

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has refuted the misleading claims being circulated that it partnered a religious organisation for passport application and payment process.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Akinsola Akinlabi says that NIS operates a secure, transparent, and government-approved passport application system, which is accessible exclusively through its official portal at http://passport.immigration.gov.ng .

The statement says the portal remains the only authorized platform for all passport-related payments and processing activities for Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora stressing that at no time has the Service partnered with or authorized any religious organization, private entity, or individual to act as an intermediary or receiving account on its behalf.

It states that recent allegations suggesting that the name of a religious organization appears in the Service’s payment process are entirely false and do not reflect the structure, integrity, or processes of the NIS.

It also states that a simple review of the Service’s authorized payment portal confirms the transparency and authenticity of the platform and that any third-party payment links or platforms purporting to process passport payments on behalf of the NIS are fraudulent and should be avoided at all costs.

The statement says the Nigeria Immigration Service has taken note of the purported allegation and is currently investigating the matter to uncover the sources of the false claim noting that preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of a mischief-maker seeking to tarnish the reputation of the Service or mislead the public for ulterior motives.

According to the statement, appropriate action will be taken against any individuals or groups found culpable.

The statement reiterates that the NIS strictly adheres to government financial regulations and works exclusively with licensed and accredited payment service providers that are clearly indicated within its authorized payment portal adding that Payments made outside the official channels provided by the NIS are made at the owner’s sole risk, and the Service takes no responsibility for any loss or inconvenience arising from such transactions.

It urges the public to exercise caution, access the NIS services only via the official portal, and avoid any dealings with unauthorized agents, websites, or third-party platforms.

It states that the Service remains steadfast in ensuring the trust of Nigerians by continuously strengthening its systems and monitoring processes to prevent misuse, fraud, or misrepresentation.

It encourages the public to reach out to the NIS through its verified communication channels for any clarification, assistance, or further inquiries .

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PR/Nkiruka Njemanze