Nigerian passport users have asked the federal government to reverse the 100 per cent increase in the fee for obtaining a passport.
In a significant revision of its fee structure, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a substantial hike in the cost of obtaining international passports within the country, raising eyebrows and stirring public reaction nationwide.
A civil servant, Mrs Nyaknor Kepop, said, “Just last year, we were still adjusting to the jump from N35,000 to N50,000, and now it’s N100,000 for a basic 32-page passport? N200,000 for 64 pages? That’s nearly a whole year’s minimum wage in one document!
What happened to public service? When did fundamental citizenship rights become a luxury only the wealthy can afford? They say it’s about “aligning with global standards.” How about global salaries, too? Global infrastructure? Global value for money as well?
A businessman, Mr Aderigbe Yemi, who was visibly angry at the Nigerian Immigration head office, said,
“This isn’t a fee review, it’s a full-blown economic assault on everyday Nigerians who simply want a passport to travel, study, seek medical care, or reunite with family. How does a government keep asking more from citizens while offering them less at every turn?
“And to make matters worse, the prices remain unchanged for Nigerians abroad. So, once again, it’s those within the country, grinding through this economy, who must bear the brunt. It’s a slap in the face, quiet, bureaucratic, and brutal.
“We don’t need fancy biometric paper if it comes at the cost of excluding millions from accessing a document they have every right to own. This isn’t streamlining, it’s gatekeeping. And it reeks of poor timing, policy, and a poorer understanding of ordinary Nigerians’ daily struggles. Enough is enough.”
The upward review of the cost of obtaining the Nigerian standard passport is effective September 1, 2025.
Under the new fee structure, applicants will pay N100,000 for a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity period, while the 64-page version with a 10-year validity period will cost N200,000.
According to a statement by the service spokesperson, ACI AS Akinlabi, on Thursday, this adjustment will apply only to applications made within Nigeria. It reflects efforts to streamline passport issuance, enhance security features, and align with global standards.
“The review, which only affects Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now sets new fee thresholds for 32-page passports with 5-year validity at N100,000 and 64-page passports with 10-year validity at N200,000,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the statement clarified that application fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged. The 32-page, five-year passport still costs $150, and the 64-page, 10-year passport costs $230.
According to the statement, the latest adjustment aims to preserve the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while ensuring continued accessibility for citizens.
LEADERSHIP reports that this new review comes less than a year after the federal government approved a previous fee increase in August 2024, which took effect on September 1, 2024.
Recall that at that time, the cost of the 32-page, five-year passport rose from N35,000 to N50,000, while the 64-page, 10-year passport increased from N70,000 to N100,000.
While officials at the service passport unit say the new pricing reflects the actual cost of production, the development has sparked mixed reactions amid rising living costs and economic pressure on citizens.
Though some applicants have welcomed the move as a step toward improved service delivery, many Nigerians have expressed concern over the affordability and timing of the increase amidst ongoing economic challenges.
Reacting, a travel consultant, Mr Chukwuemerie Nedughbor said, “Oh, come on! What exactly are we paying for? Gold-leaf pages or a first-class ticket out of the country?
He said, “It’s utterly frustrating that, in a time when Nigerians are battling fuel hikes, skyrocketing food prices, an erratic power supply, and an inflation rate that just won’t quit, the Nigerian Immigration Service has chosen this moment to slap a 100 per cent increase on passport fees.
