The Nigeria Immigration Service has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating online about its passport application and payment system, reaffirming that its digital infrastructure remains secure and accessible only through its official portal.

The clarification follows viral online allegations suggesting that a religious organisation appeared within the payment workflow of the passport system. The Service rejects the claim, stating that “allegations suggesting that the name of a religious organisation appears in the Service’s payment process are entirely false and do not reflect the structure, integrity, or processes of the NIS.”

The agency reiterates that its portal, passport.immigration.gov.ng, remains the only authorised platform for all passport-related payments and processing activities.

“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,” NIS says.

“The NIS operates a secure, transparent, and government-approved passport application system, which is accessible exclusively through its official portal,” the Service states in the statement seen by Technology Times, adding that at no time has it “partnered with or authorized any religious organization, private entity, or individual to act as an intermediary or receiving account on its behalf.”

NIS warns over fake payment platforms

The issue is a digital misinformation and cybersecurity concern, the NIS says cautioning Nigerians against engaging with unofficial platforms and intermediaries.

“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,” NIS says.

The warning comes amid rising attempts by fraudsters to exploit demand for digital government services, particularly in high-volume areas such as passport applications.

The Service confirms that it has launched an investigation into the origin of the allegations, describing them as potentially malicious.

According to the NIS, “preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of a mischief-maker seeking to tarnish the reputation of the Service or mislead the public for ulterior motives.”

The agency adds that it will take appropriate action against any individuals or groups found responsible.

The NIS emphasises that its payment system is integrated only with licensed providers embedded within its official platform, maintaining strict control over transaction processing.

“Payments made outside the official channels provided by the NIS are made at the owner’s sole risk,” the Service warns. “The Service does not recognise or provide any third-party payment alternatives for passport applications or related services.”

NIS calls for vigilance as digital services expand

The agency urges Nigerians to rely solely on verified digital channels and avoid unauthorised agents.

“The public is strongly urged to exercise caution, access our services only via the official portal, and avoid any dealings with unauthorized agents, websites, or third-party platforms,” the NIS states.

Reaffirming its commitment to system integrity, the Service says it is continuing to strengthen its infrastructure and monitoring processes to prevent fraud and misuse.

The development highlights growing cybersecurity and misinformation risks facing Nigeria’s expanding e-government ecosystem.

As more public services move online, including passport applications, digital platforms are becoming targets for impersonation and fraud attempts.

The NIS has been advancing its digital transformation strategy, including the rollout of contactless passport services for Nigerians in the diaspora, where it reports processing over 15,000 passports through its remote system.

The passport platform supports end-to-end digital service delivery, enabling users to apply, track applications, and complete payments online.

Against this backdrop, the NIS maintains that safeguarding public trust in its systems remains a priority, particularly as demand for digital government services continues to grow.