Why we increased passport fee by 100% - FG

Passport Fee Hike: Federal Government Defends 100% Increase Amid Reforms

In a move that has stirred widespread debate across Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced a 100% increase in the cost of obtaining international passports, citing the need for reform, improved service delivery, and the elimination of corruption as key motivations.

Effective September 1, 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) revised the fees for passport applications made within Nigeria. The cost of a 32-page passport with five-year validity has risen from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000, while the 64-page passport with ten-year validity now costs ₦200,000.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, defended the hike during a mid-tenure performance retreat in Abuja, stating that the increase is part of a broader overhaul of the passport issuance system. According to him, the reforms aim to eliminate delays, reduce human interference, and restore public confidence in the process. He emphasized that the new system guarantees passport delivery within one week of enrolment, a significant improvement from the previous months-long wait times that often involved extortion and inefficiencies.

Tunji-Ojo recounted personal experiences of bureaucratic hurdles, including having to pay exorbitant fees to secure a passport for his daughter. He stressed that such practices are no longer acceptable and that the new pricing reflects the government's commitment to quality and integrity. The NIS echoed this sentiment, stating that the fee adjustment was necessary to sustain the production of high-quality travel documents and ensure efficient service delivery.

However, the announcement has been met with backlash from various quarters. Critics argue that the timing is insensitive, given the economic hardship faced by millions of Nigerians. Human rights advocates and labor unions have described the increase as exploitative, warning that it could make passport ownership an elitist privilege rather than a basic right. Social media reactions have ranged from outrage to sarcasm, with some users accusing the government of squeezing already struggling citizens.

Despite the controversy, the government maintains that the reform is essential and that Nigerians will ultimately benefit from a more transparent and reliable passport issuance system.

While fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 and $230 for the respective passport types, the domestic hike marks a significant shift in the cost structure and signals the administration’s resolve to overhaul public service delivery in critical sectors.