The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced an upward review of the fees for the Nigerian standard passport, with the new charges set to take effect from September 1, 2025.
In a statement shared on its official X handle by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the agency revealed that the revised fees will apply strictly to applications processed within Nigeria.
New Fee Structure
Under the revised structure, the cost of a 32-page passport with five-year validity has been set at ₦100,000, while the 64-page passport with ten-year validity will now cost ₦200,000.
Previously, the 32-page passport cost ₦50,000 after an increment from ₦35,000, while the 64-page, 10-year validity passport rose to ₦100,000 after an earlier adjustment from ₦70,000.
However, charges for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged. Applicants abroad will continue to pay $150 for a 32-page, five-year passport and $230 for a 64-page, ten-year passport.
According to the NIS, the adjustment aims to sustain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while improving efficiency in service delivery.
> “In a bid to uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Passport, the Nigeria Immigration Service hereby announces an upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees, set to take effect on September 1, 2025,” the statement read.
“The Service remains committed to balancing quality service delivery with accessibility for all Nigerians.”
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Public Reactions
The announcement has triggered strong reactions across sectors, with many Nigerians criticizing the decision as harsh and insensitive in light of the country’s prevailing economic challenges.
“Passport Now Elitist” – David Adonri
David Adonri, Vice Chairman of Highcap Securities, described the hike as unfair, arguing that it risks making international passports exclusive to wealthy Nigerians.
> “This policy makes the ownership of the international passport elitist. While it may not discourage emigration, it only reflects government’s revenue-driven objectives rather than addressing the root causes of brain drain such as insecurity, inflation, and unemployment,” he said.
“Every Agency Turned into Revenue Generator” – Agozie Nwegwu
Managing Director of Oxbourn Consulting, Agozie Nwegwu, said the increment reflects government’s fixation on revenue rather than improving citizens’ welfare.
> “From subsidy removal to new taxes, every government agency now functions as a revenue-generating machine. The passport fee hike is just another example of the administration’s obsession with revenue, despite Nigerians struggling to survive under soaring inflation,” he argued.
“No Justification for 100% Increment” – Austin Aigbe
Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Officer for WADEMOS, faulted the rationale behind the sharp rise.
> “Because demand for passports is high, government thinks raising the cost is the solution. What justification exists for nearly doubling the price? Has production cost increased by that much?” he asked.
“Government Squeezing Nigerians Dry” – Ejike Nwuba
The CEO of The Renaissanceafrica Company, Ejike Nwuba, called the increment “astronomical and unwarranted.”
> “No reasonable explanation has been provided. It cannot be justified by inflation. This portrays the government as being more concerned with extracting money from its citizens than alleviating poverty,” he said.
“Deepening the Divide” – Funmi Adebowale
Funmi Adebowale, Head of Research at Parthian Partners, noted that the increase risks widening the economic gap.
> “Although the economy shows some signs of recovery, basic costs remain high. This hike could deepen the divide between Nigerians who can afford to travel and those who cannot,” she stated.
“Decision Carefully Considered” – Amb. Suilaman
On the other hand, Ambassador Dahiru Suilaman, a career diplomat, defended the policy, arguing that passport production requires significant resources.
> “Printing booklets and managing applications are expensive. The government knows that only those who genuinely need passports will apply, and they will pay the fee regardless,” he said.
