By Onilede Titi Faith
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to sweeping reforms and transparency, significantly stepping up efforts to stamp out corruption within its passport processing system.
Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, recently declared that the NIS has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct or sabotage by any officer, particularly those engaged in extortion or irregularities related to passport issuance.
The agency stated that this intensified crackdown is part of a wider reform initiative designed to rebuild public confidence in its services. Over the past year, the NIS has disciplined numerous officers. Currently, at least 80 personnel are undergoing internal trials for various offenses, including bribery and extortion, while eight have been dismissed from service due to confirmed corruption cases.
In response to increasing public complaints regarding delays and exploitation in the passport application process, the service has implemented a more transparent, digital-driven system. The ongoing Contactless Passport Application System aims to minimize human interaction and eliminate opportunities for racketeering. Additionally, the NIS plans to roll out a fully automated e-Visa platform by the end of 2025.
To bolster these efforts, the NIS has launched the third phase of its Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Campaign in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). This campaign targets not only internal staff but also external agents who collude with officials to defraud Nigerians.
The service has urged Nigerians to avoid middlemen and to submit their applications exclusively through official platforms. It has also provided dedicated phone lines and email addresses for citizens to report any misconduct, promising prompt investigation and strict penalties for guilty officers.
Comptroller General Nandap stressed that the NIS is dedicated to regaining the trust of Nigerians and ensuring the passport system becomes fully digital, efficient, and entirely free from corruption.
