Nigerians attempting to renew or apply for new passports through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal have been experiencing significant difficulties due to technical issues with the online payment platform. The NIS confirmed the disruption, attributing it to unforeseen technical glitches.
In a statement titled "Technical Glitches with Online Payment Platform," the NIS acknowledged the problems and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. The agency assured the public that efforts are being made to restore seamless service as soon as possible.
However, frustration is mounting among Nigerians who have been unable to complete their applications. Lagos-based fintech analyst, Epa Stevens, highlighted the challenges with the new payment platform, contrasting it with established systems like Interswitch and Remita that have successfully supported the Treasury Single Account (TSA). Stevens pointed out that the transition to the new platform has led to a breakdown, disrupting services and raising concerns about the platform's ability to handle the demands of the TSA effectively.
Michael Adigun, one of the affected individuals, expressed his frustration, stating that he has been unable to pay for a new passport. Similarly, Obinna Okafor, an importer who urgently needs to travel to China, called on the NIS to provide an alternative payment channel to ease the process.
The ongoing technical difficulties have left many Nigerians in a difficult position, unable to complete essential travel documentation, and raising questions about the reliability of the new payment system implemented by the NIS.
