FG Defends New Passport Fees, Says Move Will End Delays, Corruption
THE Federal Government has defended the decision to raise the cost of Nigerian international passports to ₦100,000 and ₦200,000, insisting that the new fees will curb corruption, end processing delays, and guarantee faster delivery of travel documents.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in a statement signed by its spokesperson, ACI AS Akinlabi, announced that beginning 1st of September 2025, new rates will apply for applications made in Nigeria, ₦100,000 for a 32-page, five-year validity passport and ₦200,000 for a 64-page, 10-year validity passport.
For Nigerians abroad, the fees remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page booklet and $230 for the 64-page, 10-year version.
According to the NIS, the adjustment was necessary to maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s passports and improve efficiency in issuance.
Speaking in Abuja during the Ministry of Interior’s mid-tenure performance retreat, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the reform is part of a wider effort to restore order in the system.
“Our target is clear: within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport in hand. Not just quickly, but with quality that reflects our national integrity,” he stated.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the hike would end years of corruption, extortion, and long delays, which once forced Nigerians to wait months or pay extra fees to fast-track processing.
He noted that even his own daughter had previously been subjected to such practices.
“That era is over. Passport Control Officers no longer have the power to approve or delay applications. The process has been centralised to eliminate corruption,” the minister said.
The minister revealed that Nigeria now operates Africa’s largest centralised personalisation centre, with the capacity to print five times more passports than currently needed. This, he added, would ensure faster delivery and tighter security.
He stressed that the reforms will also safeguard the authenticity of Nigerian passports, preventing foreigners from illegally acquiring them.
“Our passport must remain a true symbol of Nigerian identity. If you are not a Nigerian, you cannot carry it. It is about protecting our national integrity,” he declared.
The government insists that the new passport fees are not just about revenue but are part of a broader reform strategy to ensure efficiency, fight corruption, and restore public confidence in the system.
