The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant increase in passport fees, with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirming that the new charges ₦100,000 for a 32-page passport and ₦200,000 for a 64-page passport will take effect from September 1, 2025.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Thursday, August 28, that starting September 1, 2025, a 32-page standard passport valid for five years will cost ₦100,000, while the 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will now cost ₦200,000.
This latest hike represents a 100% increase from the current fees of ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 respectively rates that were themselves raised just one year ago in 2024.
Passport Fees Only Increased for Applications Within Nigeria
According to a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the NIS and signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, the fee adjustment applies strictly to passport applications processed within Nigeria.
“The review which only affects Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now sets new fee thresholds for 32-page with 5-year validity at ₦100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at ₦200,000,” the statement read.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, however, no changes have been made. They will continue to pay $150 for the 32-page passport and $230 for the 64-page option.
Why the Increase? NIS Cites Passport Quality, Service Delivery
The Immigration Service claims the decision was made to “uphold the quality and integrity” of Nigerian passports and to sustain efficient service delivery across passport offices nationwide.
“The Service reiterates its commitment to balancing quality service delivery with the need to ensure passport services are accessible to all Nigerians,” the statement added.
Public Outcry as Nigerians React to Higher Passport Fees
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from economic analysts, civil society leaders, and ordinary Nigerians who say the move is insensitive, poorly timed, and fiscally elitist.
David Adonri, Vice Chairman of Highcap Securities, stated:
“This makes the Nigerian passport an elitist document, reserved for the wealthy. It’s unfortunate. The government is prioritizing revenue over people. This won’t stop emigration it will only make it harder for average citizens to travel.”
Agozie Nwegwu, MD of Oxbourn Consulting, added:
“Every government agency is now a revenue-generating machine. From fuel subsidies to tinted glass permits, the people are being squeezed from every direction. This is an economic war on ordinary Nigerians.”
Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Officer at WADEMOS, questioned the rationale:
“Was there a 100% rise in production cost? Did printing booklets suddenly become twice as expensive? The answer is no. This is just poor governance masked as revenue generation
Rising Passport Fees Add Pressure Amid Inflation and Hardship
This is the second passport fee increase in just one year. In August 2024, the Federal Government raised the cost of the 32-page booklet from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000, and the 64-page passport from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 now doubled again in 2025.
Nigerians already struggling with inflation, high food prices, fuel costs, and rising transportation fares say the increase further alienates the poor and limits their access to global opportunities.
Analysts: Timing is Tone-Deaf Despite Economic Signs
Funmi Adebowale, Head of Research at Parthian Partners, noted:
“While the economy is slowly stabilizing, and the new minimum wage is ₦70,000, most Nigerians haven’t felt the benefits yet. Disposable income is still low. Increasing passport fees now could deepen inequality between those who can travel and those who can’t.”
Opposing View: Passport is for Those Who Can Afford to Travel
Meanwhile, Ambassador Dahiru Suilaman, a retired diplomat, defended the fee hike, saying:
“Only those who can afford to travel need a passport. It costs a lot to print secure booklets, deploy machines, and train manpower. The price increase is a reflection of those realities.”
Is the Nigerian Passport Now a Luxury?
With public trust already strained, this latest development raises broader concerns about the direction of government policy, especially as it increasingly places essential services behind rising paywalls. Critics argue that the passport, once a tool of access and mobility, is fast becoming a luxury item in a country where many struggle to afford three meals a day.
As September 1 approaches, many are calling on the government to reconsider, or at the very least, justify the hike transparently with detailed breakdowns of production and administrative costs.
What’s your take on the new passport fees?
Do you believe this is a necessary step for better service delivery or just another move that puts essential services further out of reach for the average Nigerian?
Let us know your thoughts.
