Shocking Passport Fee Hike: Nigerian Government Reveals 4 Surprising Reasons

Nigerian Government Hikes Nigerian Passport Fees: Here’s Why

Starting September 1, 2024, the federal government has announced a significant increase in the fees for Nigerian international passports, citing four key reasons for the hike.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed the new fees in a circular released on Saturday. The cost of a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity will rise from N35,000 to N50,000, while the fee for a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will increase from N70,000 to N100,000.

The NIS outlined four main reasons behind the fee increase:

1. Enhanced Passport Quality: The new fees will ensure that Nigerian passports continue to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
2. Rising Production Costs: The adjustment reflects the current costs of materials and production, which have increased significantly.
3. Expanded Access and Faster Processing: The revenue from the new fees will be used to establish more passport offices and biometric centers, reducing congestion and improving processing times.
4. Promoting Local Content: The fee hike supports the NIS’s goal of fully domesticating passport booklet production, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s #RenewedHope Agenda.