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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said that no religious organisation, private entity, or individual has been authorised to receive passport payments on its behalf, following public complaints about a church name appearing on its payment platform.
Several Nigerian applicants, particularly those processing passports through embassies abroad, including Frankfurt, Germany, reported seeing “Dunamis International Gospel Centre” as the recipient during payment authorisation, according to the report.
One applicant stated that £261.26 was debited from his account for a passport renewal and received by the church.
One X user wrote, “I experienced same when I wanted to renew my International passport on the 9th of April. £261.26 was debited from my account and received by Dunamis International Gospel Centre for International passport renewal.”
I experienced same when I wanted to renew my International passport on the 9th of April. £261.26 was debited from my account and received by Dunamis International Gospel Centre for International passport renewal.
— Ololade-01🏅 (@MrPalito01) May 2, 2026
In response to the accusation, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi e-signed a public notice on Monday in which NIS denied the allegations.
“At no time has the Service partnered with or authorised any religious organisation, private entity, or individual to act as an intermediary or receiving account on its behalf,” the statement read.
The Service said its official portal at passport.immigration.gov.ng remains the only authorised platform for all passport-related transactions.
NIS described recent allegations suggesting that a religious organisation’s name appears in its payment process as “entirely false.”
“A simple review of our authorised payment portal confirms the transparency and authenticity of our platform,” it stated.
It warned 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 Service said it is currently investigating the matter to uncover the sources of the false claim.
“Preliminary investigations suggest the involvement of a mischief-maker seeking to tarnish the reputation of the Service or mislead the public for ulterior motives,” it stated.
“Appropriate action will be taken against any individuals or groups found culpable.”
NIS urged the public to exercise caution and access its services only through the official portal.
“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,” the statement warned.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE REFUTES FALSE CLAIMS ON PASSPORT APPLICATION AND PAYMENT PROCESS; REAFFIRMS EXCLUSIVE USE OF OFFICIAL PORTAL pic.twitter.com/ysV6bOBPyn
— Nigeria Immigration Service (@nigimmigration) May 4, 2026
