NIS Vows Prosecution Of Officers Involved In Issuing Passports To Non Citizens As CG Kemi Nandap Declares Zero Tolerance For Corruption
The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nandap, has issued a stern warning to officers involved in issuing Nigerian passports to foreign nationals, declaring that the Service will pursue full legal action against offenders.
Speaking on Wednesday at the NIS headquarters in Abuja during the opening session of a three-day workshop themed “Strengthening Identity Management Through Innovations in Passport Administration,” Nandap disclosed that the Service’s legal department is actively handling disciplinary and criminal proceedings against officers implicated in fraudulent passport issuance.
“We’ll make sure we prosecute them. They will not go free, not anymore. It is not acceptable,” the CG stated emphatically, addressing passport control officers gathered from across the country.
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Her remarks followed recent revelations that multiple non-Nigerians had fraudulently obtained Nigerian green passports—some for criminal activities, illegal migration, or use by human trafficking networks. The Nigerian Immigration Service, she said, is stepping up enforcement amid fresh international scrutiny and past findings that exposed widespread abuse.
A 2022 House of Representatives investigation uncovered over 7,000 suspicious cases of passports issued to foreign nationals within five years. The issue resurfaced earlier this year when Interpol flagged 27 Nigerian passports, later discovered to be forged or fraudulently acquired, at European airports. Two enrolment centres in Lagos and Kano were traced as sources of the documents.
Emphasising the seriousness of the breach, Nandap reminded officers that the passport signifies the nation’s trust in its holder as a bonafide citizen. “Before you issue anybody with that passport, make sure that, yes, you are satisfied that this person is a true Nigerian. That’s what our Act says, and that’s what you must all uphold,” she declared.
She urged officers to exercise diligence and leverage their training and instincts—using behavioural, linguistic, and physical cues—to identify fraudulent applicants.
“The world is watching. If you issue a passport to a non-Nigerian, they will know. And our credibility will be called into question,” she warned. “That document must only go to qualified Nigerians. You are the gatekeepers.”
Nandap said the Service is aligning itself with broader national reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which includes the deployment of technology for improved security and service delivery. She noted the ongoing upgrade to contactless passports and automated processing systems as key innovations.
She urged passport officers to adapt quickly to these reforms and ensure they play active roles in the vetting and documentation processes, rather than delegating critical tasks to junior officers.
“The ordinary is no longer acceptable. Nigerians expect better from us. This uniform is a symbol of trust. We cannot afford to break that trust,” Nandap said.
While stressing zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, and any form of malpractice, the CG also committed to recognising officers who demonstrate excellence and integrity. “We reward good work just as we punish wrongdoing,” she added.
She called for full participation in the training workshop, encouraging officers to ask questions, admit knowledge gaps, and return to their posts equipped with actionable strategies for reforming passport administration.
“This training is about more than just learning. It’s about transformation. Every officer here must leave with clarity and readiness to implement what has been taught,” she affirmed.
Facilitators at the workshop were also tasked with ensuring sessions are engaging and practical, while participants were urged to use the opportunity to align with the Service’s renewed focus on professionalism, accountability, and national image.
As the NIS grapples with both international pressure and domestic expectations, Nandap’s message was unambiguous: The era of impunity in passport issuance is over.
