SERAP Demands Reversal Of Passport Fees Hike

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap to immediately reverse the “arbitrary, unlawful, and excessive” passport fees announced during the week.

SERAP described the passport fees increase as discriminatory towards millions of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.

The civil society organisation made the call in a letter dated August 30, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP maintained that the high fees constitute discriminatory denial of access to passports for millions of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians and impose unlawful restrictions on their citizenship rights.

It also stated that millions of disadvantaged Nigerians cannot realistically afford these new fees.

The group insisted that Nigerians should not be forced to divert their limited and inadequate incomes to pay these fees that they should use for their basic living needs.

SERAP argued that the Minister of Interior and the NIS Comptroller General must comply with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations in fulfilling their constitutional and statutory duties.

The organisation stated that the Minister and Comptroller General of the NIS have a legal responsibility to balance imposing excessive passport fees and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

It stressed that Nigerians who cannot afford the excessive fees will be denied effective enjoyment of their citizenship rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and relevant human rights treaties to which the country is a party.

“The unreasonable and disproportionate hike in passport fees conflicts with the provisions of Chapters 2 and 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, which address fundamental objectives, directive principles of state policy, and fundamental rights.

“The excessive fees will create disproportionate financial burdens on poor Nigerians. The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS have failed to evaluate the impact of these heightened fees in light of the financial struggles facing millions of Nigerians amid growing economic challenges.

“The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS acted unlawfully by arbitrarily increasing the passport fees. Their actions undermine the fundamental rights of Nigerians by unlawfully raising these costs,” SERAP stated.

It added that the recommended measures be implemented within seven days of receiving and/or publishing this letter.

“Should we not hear from you by then, SERAP will pursue all appropriate legal actions to compel your government, the Minister, and the Comptroller General to comply with our request in the public interest.

“The unlawful increase in passport fees, when the country grapples with economic and financial crises, would further contribute to the population’s impoverishment.

“The increased fees would also infringe on Nigerians’ rights to travel or leave their country, including their right to obtain necessary travel documents. The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS have failed to adequately justify the fee increases,” the statement added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the NIS had on Thursday, August 28, 2025, announced an upward review of passport fees, effective from September 1, 2025.

Under the new rates, applications made in Nigeria, which previously cost N50,000 for a 32-page booklet with a five-year validity will now cost N100,000.

Additionally, the 64-page passport, valid for ten years, will increase from N100,000 to N200,000.

SERAP recalled that in September 2024, the NIS also raised the cost of the 32-page passport from N35,000 to N50,000 and the 64-page passport from N70,000 to N100,000.