EXPOSED: Corruption Rocks Nigeria Immigration Service
The Civic Action Network (CAN) has alleged the existence of a corruption network within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), accusing some senior officials of operating an illegal cash collection scheme at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, which it claimed might be weakening border security and depriving the Federal Government of revenue.
The allegations were contained in a statement made available to journalists and signed by the Executive Director of CAN, Abubakar Ahmed Sadiq.
According to the organisation, the alleged activities involve the collection of unofficial payments from foreigners who overstay their visas instead of directing them to pay prescribed penalties into government accounts as required.
CAN alleged that the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap, failed to halt the purported practice after assuming office and instead allowed it to persist.
The organisation further claimed that the alleged system has resulted in revenue losses and created gaps in immigration records that could pose risks to national security.
These allegations have not been independently verified.
The statement also identified an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (name withheld) as a key figure in the alleged operation.
According to CAN, the senior officer, who was described as a former aide to the Comptroller General during her posting at MMIA, allegedly coordinated unofficial cash collections from visa overstayers through intermediaries rather than through approved government channels.
The organisation alleged that the arrangement enabled some offenders to bypass established immigration procedures.
CAN further alleged that immigration controllers who resisted the purported arrangement or attempted to enforce official procedures were transferred from their positions after short periods in office.
The organisation claimed this created an atmosphere in which officers were discouraged from challenging the alleged system.
It also referred to the Officer’s reported political ambition in a state in the North West geo-political zone, suggesting it reflected access to substantial financial resources, although no documentary evidence was presented in the statement to support that assertion.
The advocacy group also criticised the leadership of the immigration service, alleging that decision-making had become concentrated among a small group of close associates.
According to CAN, some officers deployed on foreign missions have allegedly gone for more than 10 months without salaries, while promotions and postings were allegedly influenced by bribery instead of merit.
The organisation argued that such practices, if established, could affect staff morale and institutional efficiency.
CAN maintained that the alleged diversion of funds could have wider implications for national development by reducing resources available for public services and security operations.
It also claimed that weaknesses in enforcing visa regulations could expose Nigeria’s borders to abuse by individuals seeking to evade immigration controls.
The organisation called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and urged relevant authorities to strengthen transparency and accountability within the immigration service.
The statement noted that requests for comments from the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, the NIS headquarters and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had not received responses at the time it was issued.
The allegations contained in the statement remain unproven, and no official investigation or findings confirming the claims were cited in the document made available to journalists.
