By Investigative Team
Institutionalised corruption within the Nigeria Immigration Service has come to light, revealing the arduous process ordinary Nigerians face in obtaining a passport. A visit to the command centre exposed the extent of this corruption, as officers exploit their positions to amass wealth at the expense of the public.
Getting a Nigerian passport through the online application process is a daunting task for ordinary citizens. Without the assistance of an immigration officer, the process becomes even more cumbersome. Civilian passport seekers face discrimination and frustrating delays in having their documents processed, leading many to abandon their applications altogether.
Corruption runs deep within the Nigeria Immigration Service, with officers working in units such as screening, registry, enrollment, issuance, and passport control using their positions to accumulate personal wealth. These officers have set up a covert travel agency within the confines of the immigration compound, disguised as a cyber cafe. An operator within this establishment handles their illicit business transactions, effectively evading detection.
From the moment one approaches the gate of the Nigeria Immigration Service office, corruption is evident. Officers stationed at the gate inquire about appointments, and if one lacks an appointment, they become entangled in a web of corruption. These officers pretend to offer guidance on navigating the complex procedures of obtaining a passport, assigning an immigration officer as a go-between. This officer acts as a middleman for the corruption cartel, leading individuals to a waiting room where further discussions take place.
In these discussions, officers assess individuals, providing advice based on their perceived willingness to engage in corruption. Those who choose to follow the legitimate online application process are subjected to endless frustrations, including network issues, picture upload failures, and denied document uploads.
Alternatively, individuals are advised to engage the services of a travel agent, who is, in fact, an immigration officer willing to expedite the passport application process for a fee. These agents exit the command building with the individual and proceed to a nearby cyber cafe operated by their cohort. This cyber cafe becomes the engine room for deceit, enabling the impersonator to work on the application without the accompanying online issues.
The price for this assistance is negotiated between the individual and the immigration officer, who acts as a passport agent. The fees are exorbitant higher than the official prices listed on the Nigeria Immigration Service website. Payments are made in cash or to a POS operator stationed within the premises to avoid detection. The cyber cafe operator then begins processing the passport application, including taking a passport photo and uploading it along with other required documents.
Documents such as National Population Commission registration, local government identification letters, and age declarations by a court of law are all obtained within the cyber cafe for a fee. Only the National Identification Number (NIN) must be obtained separately. Once all documents are procured and uploaded to the portal, payments are made through specific apps that alternate periodically.
The systemic corruption within the Nigeria Immigration Service demonstrates that both passport applicants and the officers issuing them are guilty of the same offence. As the philosophy lecturer rightly said, “The criminal is all of us.”
However, at the makeover cyber cafe, the price is negotiated with the immigration officer on uniform,the travel agent indeed,that will assist you in getting the job done over a price that is usually triple of the official price available in the online application portal on the Nigerian Immigration Service website..
A quick look at the prices shows:
Number of Years validity
Online application portal (official) with processing fees
Passport agent ( immigration officers) masquerading as passport l agent
5:years
#35,300
#100,000
10 years
#70,300
#160,000
This amount is what the immigration officers on duty collect to facilitate the passport application. They collect cash or you pay to a POS operator ,a cohort also stationed within the command premises. They will never allow you to pay into their account to avoid detection. After payments are made , their cyber cafe operator will start processing your documents for the passport application. What a country with funny corrupt officers disgracing the society.
