The Federal Government has moved to defend its recent decision to raise the cost of Nigerian passports, emphasizing that the increment will strengthen efficiency, protect national identity, and stamp out corruption in the system.
In a statement released by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI) A.S. Akinlabi, it was disclosed that beginning September 1, 2025, Nigerians applying within the country will pay ₦100,000 for the 32-page, five-year validity passport, and ₦200,000 for the 64-page, 10-year validity document.
The agency stressed that the new fee regime applies only to applications within Nigeria. Applicants outside the country will continue to pay $150 and $230 respectively.
Frontpagenews.ng reports that the review follows a previous increment in August 2024, when passport costs were raised to ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 respectively.
Speaking at the Interior Ministry’s performance retreat in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, justified the new pricing, explaining that it would guarantee speed and quality of service.
“Our target is very clear: within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport in hand,” the minister declared.
He recounted how in the past, Nigerians faced prolonged delays or were forced to pay exorbitant sums. “Nigerians will apply for passports and wait endlessly, or be asked to pay hundreds of thousands of naira. My own daughter had that bad experience,” Tunji-Ojo revealed.
The minister highlighted reforms including the establishment of Africa’s largest centralised personalisation centre, which enables the production of five times the current passport demand, ensuring applications are vetted within 24 hours.
Additionally, Passport Control Officers (PCOs) have been stripped of discretionary approval powers to curb abuse and bribery. “That abuse of power ends now,” he affirmed.
Tunji-Ojo also vowed to protect the credibility of Nigerian passports, citing past abuses where foreigners illegally acquired them. “Our passport must remain a true symbol of Nigerian identity,” he insisted.
