The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) outlined four key reasons for this adjustment in a circular released on Saturday.
With the new price regime,the cost of a 32-pge passport booklet with a 5-year validity will rise from N35,000 to N50,000. Meanwhile, the 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity will increase from N70,000 to N100,000.
The hike in fees has provoked considerable backlash from Nigerians, who are already struggling with high living costs and economic difficulties. Many have criticized the government for what they perceive as an insensitivity to the financial challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
In response, the NIS has provided a detailed explanation for the increase. The reasons are:
READ ALSO: FG Increases Passport Fees To N50k, N100k Respectively, Gives Reason
Enhancement of Passport Standards and Quality: The fee increase is aimed at ensuring the Nigerian passport meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Rising Material and Production Costs: The new fees will help cover the increased costs associated with passport production and materials.
Expansion of Passport Services: The additional funds will be used to establish more passport offices and biometrics centers, which will reduce congestion at existing facilities and improve processing times.
Support for Domestic Production: The fee adjustment will also aid in the drive towards local production of passport booklets, aligning with the government’s #RenewedHope Agenda to bolster local content.
The passport system in Nigeria has seen significant improvements, particularly under the stewardship of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. In August 2023, Tunji-Ojo directed the NIS to clear a backlog of over 200,000 passport applications within two weeks. By October 2023, the NIS reported the successful clearing of this backlog.
Further enhancements include the introduction of home delivery for passports starting June 2024, a move aimed at improving accessibility and reducing the need for office visits. Despite these advancements, Nigeria’s global passport ranking remains low. According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, Nigeria is ranked 95th, sharing this position with Sudan, which reflects the limited travel freedoms available to Nigerian passport holders.
