…Passport fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 and $230 respectively.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Widespread public anger has trailed the decision of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to once again raise the cost of obtaining a Nigerian passport barely a year after the last increment.
From market women in Lagos to tech workers in Abuja, many Nigerians have taken to social media to express disbelief, frustration, and deep concern over the newly announced rates: ₦100,000 for the 32-page passport with five-year validity, and ₦200,000 for the 64-page booklet with ten-year validity.
“Are we now pricing passports like luxury handbags?” asked one X user, reacting to Thursday’s announcement signed by the NIS spokesperson, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration ACI AS Akinlabi. Another user wrote, “So a family of five now needs half a million naira just to get passports? This is beyond wicked.”
The Immigration Service clarified that the new fee regime, effective from September 1, 2025, applies only to applications made within Nigeria. Passport fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 and $230 respectively.
The agency defended the move as necessary to “maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while ensuring accessibility for citizens.” But many Nigerians are not convinced.
“This is a country where people are already struggling to afford basic necessities. How does this make it easier for citizens to travel, study abroad or even just get documentation in order?” said Kelechi Okoye, a graduate seeking to relocate to Canada.
This is the second major price hike in twelve months. In September 2024, the fee for the five-year passport was raised from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000, while the ten-year version moved from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000.
Public affairs analyst, Tolu Adediran, questioned the timing and communication of the new fees. “We are still in an economy battling inflation, currency instability and high unemployment. This kind of policy rolled out without broad consultation or subsidy plans only worsens public distrust,” he said.
With just days left until the implementation date, the outrage continues to spread online and offline. Activists and civil society groups have called for the federal government to reverse the increase or introduce income-based passport support schemes.
As at press time, the Ministry of Interior had yet to issue a separate clarification or response to the wave of criticism.
