ABUJA: The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a new upward review of passport application fees for Nigerians applying within the country, with the revised rates scheduled to take effect from September 1, 2025.
According to a statement released on its official X handle by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the adjustment affects only domestic applications.
Under the new regime, a 32-page passport with five-year validity will cost N100,000, while a 64-page passport with 10-year validity will be priced at N200,000.
Until now, the 32-page document cost N50,000, up from N35,000, while the 64-page version was pegged at N100,000, after an earlier increase from N70,000.
However, passport fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page booklet and $230 for the 64-page option.
The NIS explained that the hike is aimed at maintaining the quality and security of Nigerian passports while ensuring efficient service delivery. he Service remains committed to balancing quality service delivery with accessibility for all Nigerians,” the statement read.
The announcement has sparked widespread backlash, with many Nigerians describing the move as insensitive amid the nation’s biting economic challenges.
David Adonri, Vice Chairman of Highcap Securities, criticized the policy, warning it would make international passport ownership elitist. He said the increment reflects government’s revenue drive rather than efforts to discourage migration, adding that it could further fuel inflation.
Similarly, Agozie Nwegwu, Managing Director of Oxbourn Consulting, argued that government agencies have been converted into “revenue-generating machines,” with citizens bearing the brunt of incessant hikes.
For Austin Aigbe of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), the increment lacks justification. He questioned whether production costs had risen enough to warrant a near 100 percent increase.
Ejike Nwuba, CEO of The Renaissanceafrica Company, called the decision “astronomical, unwarranted, and insensitive,” accusing the government of seeking to “squeeze Nigerians dry.”
Funmi Adebowale, Head of Research at Parthian Partners, warned that the increase would deepen the divide between Nigerians who can afford to travel abroad and those who cannot.
Not all reactions were critical. Career diplomat Ambassador Dahiru Suilaman defended the increment, stressing that passport production and processing require significant resources. He added that determined travelers would still pay any amount required to obtain the document.
With the new rates coming into effect next week, debate continues over whether the policy represents a necessary step to sustain passport integrity or yet another burden on struggling Nigerians.
