The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has said the service’s legal department is pursuing disciplinary action against officers found issuing green passports to foreign nationals.
“We’ll make sure that we prosecute them. They will not go free, not anymore. It is not acceptable,” Nandap told participants when she declared open a three-day workshop for passport control officers at the service headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
At the training themed ‘Strengthening Identity Management Through Innovations in Passport Administration,’ she emphasised the necessity of thorough vetting, stating that passport issuance must be handled with utmost integrity, efficiency, and adherence to timelines.
Nandap’s disclosure follows discoveries by the NIS of multiple cases of non-Nigerians fraudulently obtaining passports, some for purposes of criminal activity or illegal migration.
A 2022 House of Representatives probe cited at least 7,000 suspected cases over five years, including criminal networks that resold the passports to human‑trafficking rings in Europe and the Gulf.
The scandal resurfaced in March when Interpol flagged 27 fraudulent Nigerian passports seized at European airports—documents later traced to two enrolment centres in Lagos and Kano.
Nandap emphasised that the passport, once issued, represents the NIS’s endorsement of the bearer as a bona fide Nigerian citizen.
Therefore, she warned officers to exercise extreme caution and responsibility before certifying anyone as a citizen.
She said, “The post you hold is very credible because anyone who holds that passport, you are saying that you have certified that person a bona fide, true Nigerian. That is what it means. So before you issue anybody with that passport, make sure that, yes, you are satisfied that this person is a bona fide Nigerian.
“That is what our act says, and that is what you must all do, because we are getting too many incessant issues of non-Nigerians acquiring our passports.
“But I’m grateful, and I’m happy that you’re reporting them to the service headquarters. Please increase your vigilance, because I know a lot of your commands; a lot of passport officers have reported these cases. And of course, legal is working on it. We’ll make sure that we prosecute them. They will not go free, not anymore. It is not acceptable.”
Nandap urged officers to remain alert and involved in the vetting process, leveraging their professional experience to detect cases of fraudulent identity, using behavioural, linguistic, and physical cues.
She added, “The world is judging us. If you issue it to non-Nigerians, they will know. So we don’t want our credibility in question. That’s why you must all step up and make sure that every document you issue, every passport, must be to qualified Nigerians.
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“Let’s make sure that in issuing this document, we are very, very thorough. Make sure you do your due diligence. Make sure we maintain the integrity of this passport, because that’s the password that takes us all over the world.”
She explained that the training would be delivered in various categories, with different facilitators handling specific aspects.
The focus of the session, she noted, was the Nigerian passport, which she described as a key national symbol and an instrument of identity.
The immigration chief emphasised the need for officers to align with ongoing transformations within the Service and maintain a unified vision by ensuring all personnel are brought together and adequately trained.
She also called on officers to take a proactive role in their responsibilities, emphasising that it is not sufficient to remain stationed at their desks while leaving tasks solely to junior personnel.
She reminded them of the broader institutional transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, highlighting technological advancements such as contactless passport systems and automated processing tools.
She urged officers to adapt to these innovations and demonstrate professionalism, thoroughness, and unwavering ethical standards in all aspects of their duties.
The Comptroller General encouraged the officers to actively engage throughout the workshop, ask questions, and ensure the sessions remain interactive to foster learning and clarity.
Facilitators were also encouraged to engage participants effectively.
She stated that every officer is expected to conclude the training with clear, actionable strategies and return to their posts ready to implement what they have learned.
Nandap reiterated the service’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, bribery, and fraudulent activities, warning that any individual found culpable would face strict and immediate disciplinary action.
“And I must also let you know that the stance of the service is zero, absolute zero tolerance to corruption, bribery or even fraudulent activities.
“Anybody who is associated or caught in such acts will be dealt with severely, immediately, consequences,” said Nandap.
She said while the service holds its officers accountable for misconduct, it will also continue to recognise and reward exceptional performance.
“In as much as we are meting consequences on people erring, we also reward excellence. We appreciate when people know what to do and they do the right thing.
“And I know you are all working hard and I appreciate your hard work. I appreciate the fact that you keep the system moving, but that is not enough.
“The ordinary is not enough. It is not acceptable anymore. Nigerians expect better from us, and this uniform we’re wearing is a symbol of trust. So please, that trust must be maintained. You cannot afford to break that trust because of the image of the system,” Nandap affirmed.
She urged officers not to conceal knowledge gaps and emphasised the importance of participating in this training for their professional growth.
The Comptroller General reaffirmed that the NIS is undergoing significant transformation, particularly within the passport ecosystem.