Nigeria’s federal government has given approval to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to increase the fees for Nigerian passport, starting from 1st September, 2024.
The 32-page passport, which previously cost ₦35,000, will now be issued at ₦50,000, while the 64-page passport with a ten-year validity will see its fee rise from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000. This represents an overall increase of 42.86%.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) spokesman, Kenneth Udo, in a statement on Wednesday said the decision was taken as part of efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.
He said: “Based on the review, 32-page Passport booklet with 5 year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while 64-page Passport booklet with 10 year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only
In the statement, the NIS emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure and reliable travel document for Nigerian citizens, particularly in the context of global travel.
“As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the passport, effective from September 1, 2024,” the statement read.
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The NIS spokesperson, Kenneth Udo, added that while the increase might cause inconvenience to prospective applicants, the move is essential to ensure continued high-quality service delivery.
Furthermore, the NIS confirmed that the fee increase does not apply to Nigerians living abroad. “The fees remain unchanged in the diaspora,” Udo stated, reassuring Nigerians that the adjustment is crucial for maintaining the passport’s global reputation as a secure travel document.
This development follows the recent dip in Nigeria’s ranking on the Henley Passport Index, where it was ranked 92nd out of 199 passports, reflecting the challenges faced by Nigerian citizens in terms of travel freedom.
The increase in fees has sparked widespread debate, particularly on social media, where many Nigerians have expressed concerns about the affordability of the new rates.
Nonetheless, the NIS reiterated its commitment to transparency and quality service amidst these changes .
