The Federal Government has justified the recent increase in the cost of obtaining a Nigerian passport, saying the new fees are necessary to maintain production quality, eliminate corruption, and ensure faster delivery of travel documents.
As already reported by a correspondent of FirstDaily “The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a new increase in the cost of obtaining the Nigerian Standard Passport, with the revised fees set to take effect from September 1, 2025”
Under the new rates announced this week, a standard 32-page passport now costs ₦100,000, while the 64-page version costs ₦200,000.
The move has generated criticism from citizens who view the hike as burdensome, particularly at a time of widespread economic hardship.
Responding to the backlash, the Ministry of Interior at the 2025 Mid-Tenure Sectoral Performance Retreat currently ongoing from Thursday, 28th to Sunday, 31st August 2025, at Zuma Rock Resort, Niger state, explained that the adjustment reflects the true cost of production, security features, and logistics involved in passport issuance.
Officials noted that Nigeria had been subsidising the process for years, often leading to shortages, delays, and racketeering by middlemen.
According to the government, the new pricing structure is designed to curb extortion and reduce the influence of touts, while also aligning with international best practices in passport production.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Immigration Raises Passport Fees to ₦100,000, ₦200,000
Authorities also assured applicants that recent reforms, including digitalisation of the application process, will make passports available within a shorter timeframe.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has faced persistent criticism in recent years over delays, with some applicants waiting months to collect their passports despite paying official fees.
The government believes the new rates, combined with tighter monitoring, will address these challenges.
Nigeria last reviewed passport fees in 2019, when the cost of the enhanced e-passport was introduced.
With the new adjustments, Nigeria now ranks among the African countries with the highest passport fees, a move officials insist is necessary to guarantee sustainability.