Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) has partnered with New Works Limited and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to deliver an end-to-end process for Nigerians to apply for their International Passports online and also make payments at the official rates online.
This multi-channel payment system will enable Nigerians apply for all international passport types (new and renewals) online and make payments on all GTBank’s e-channels using the reference ID generated at the application stage.
Payment for passport services can be made on GTBank’s internet banking platform at www.gtbank.com, GTBank’s mobile banking app or via GTBank’s 737 platforms, by dialling *737*33*7*TRANSACTIONID#.
In addition to these payment channels, GTBank is launching payment offices at six of the Nigerian Immigration Service Offices; starting with the passport office at Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. Five other payment offices will be set up at Alausa, Festac, Port Harcourt, Kano and the NIS Headquarters in Abuja. The GTBank payment offices will make paying for immigration services at NIS offices easy and seamless.
Commenting on the partnership with New Works and the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Segun Agbaje stated that, “We are delighted to be at the forefront of digital banking solutions that are making banking faster, cheaper and simpler for every Nigerian.
“We believe that creating a multi-channel payment system for immigration services reflects our commitment to driving digital banking solutions that not only drive financial inclusion but also positions us at the centre of an ecosystem that offers benefits beyond banking,” he said.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, in his remarks said the partnership, jeered towards digitalising the processes of registration and acquisition of passports was in line with the vision of the Agency to erase middlemen and reduce corrupt practices of Immigration Officers.
According to him, when no cash is involved in the transaction of getting a passport, it would be hard for Officers to be corrupt. He added that with the new arrangement with GTBank and New Works Limited, individuals would carry out the transaction themselves thus having no need for assistance from Immigration Officers, who often posed as middlemen.
Guaranty Trust Bank plc has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry and is regarded by industry watchers as one of Africa’s most innovative financial institutions. The Bank has continued to lead the e-banking revolution in Nigeria through the provision of various e-payment solutions aimed at making it easier for customers to carry out their transactions.
