By IDNN Business & Economy Desk
The Federal Government has defended its latest increase in Nigerian passport fees, describing it as essential to restoring efficiency and credibility to the system.
From September 1, 2025, a 32-page passport with five-year validity will cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport with 10-year validity will be ₦200,000. The new fees apply only to applications processed within Nigeria. Fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 and $230 respectively.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said the review was necessary to sustain the quality of passports and improve delivery timelines.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, speaking at a mid-tenure performance retreat, defended the policy.
“Our target is clear. Within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport in hand. This reform is not only about speed, it is about integrity and transparency.”
He said the centralisation of approvals would prevent corruption. In the past, Passport Control Officers held wide discretionary powers, often delaying applications unless bribes were paid.
“That abuse of power ends now. Passport approval will no longer rest with individual officers. This is how we cut corruption and restore credibility to Nigeria’s passport,” Tunji-Ojo added.
He also highlighted new facilities, including the continent’s largest centralised personalisation centre, which can print five times more passports than current demand.
The minister recalled personal experiences of delays, saying even as a lawmaker he once paid hundreds of thousands of naira to obtain a passport for his daughter.
Analysts note that the fee hike comes barely a year after the last adjustment in 2024, when costs rose from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000 for the 32-page booklet, and ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 for the 64-page passport.
While some Nigerians have expressed concern over affordability, government insists the reform will bring an end to backlogs, fraud, and illegal issuance to non-citizens.
“Our passport must remain a true symbol of Nigerian identity. If you are not Nigerian, you cannot carry it,” Tunji-Ojo said.
