The Federal Government’s decision to implement a 100 per cent increase in international passport fees has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many citizens lamenting the financial burden while others cautiously welcome the move if it translates into faster service delivery and transparency.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced last week that the new fees, which took effect on September 1, 2025, are part of efforts to sustain the enhanced e-passport regime and maintain the quality and global integrity of Nigeria’s travel documents.
Under the revised structure, passport applications filed within Nigeria now cost ₦100,000 for a 32-page booklet with five-year validity, while a 64-page booklet with 10-year validity costs ₦200,000.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, the rates were pegged at $150 for the 32-page booklet (five years) and $230 for the 64-page booklet (10 years).
According to the NIS, the new pricing reflects the technological and security upgrades made in recent years, including the migration to centralised personalisation systems, biometric data capture, and digital tracking to combat forgery and racketeering.
Despite the official explanation, several Nigerians interviewed expressed concerns over the steep costs.
Aisha Musa, a small-scale trader in Abuja applying for her first international passport, described the hike as “simply crushing.”
“How many families can afford ₦100,000 for just a passport? The government must understand that many Nigerians are struggling with high inflation and daily survival,” she lamented.
Similarly, Toluwani Johnson, a University of Abuja student hoping to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, said the hike was an additional barrier for young people.
“Before now, many students struggled to save ₦50,000 for passports.
Doubling the fee will discourage us from chasing opportunities abroad. Some of us may have to postpone our dreams,” she said.
While many Nigerians expressed anger, some travel agents and consultants took a more balanced view.
Success Daniel, a travel consultant, admitted that online appointment booking and processing speed had improved under recent reforms.
“If I can apply, capture, and receive my passport within two weeks, then the increased cost may be acceptable.
But Nigerians won’t tolerate delays at double the price,” he warned.
Another consultant, Abdullahi Adamu, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that Nigerians deserve efficient and transparent service in exchange for higher fees.
“We don’t want to see touts, broken networks, or hidden charges.
The government must ensure the system actually works if they expect us to pay this much,” he said.
Beyond pricing, some residents expressed worry about persistent unofficial charges at passport offices.
Ngozi Kalu, a civil servant renewing her passport, alleged that “facilitation money” is still whispered about in some centres despite reforms.
“If we are paying so much, then there should be zero tolerance for extortion.
Total automation is the only way to end these abuses,” she noted.
A retired civil servant, Adeniyi Adekunle, said the increment shows that government is prioritising revenue but must not fail to deliver improved service.
“A responsible government should not only raise fees but also ensure Nigerians get value for money. Otherwise, this policy will only breed resentment,” he argued.
In response to public outcry, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, reassured Nigerians that the reforms would drastically reduce waiting time.
“Every Nigerian should now get their passport within seven days of enrolment.
Our goal is not just faster delivery but also to restore the integrity of the Nigerian passport,” he said.
He explained that the centralised personalisation centre has eliminated bottlenecks, enabling the government to print five times more passports than needed daily.
According to him, Passport Control Officers (PCOs) no longer have the power to approve or delay applications, a move aimed at curbing racketeering.
“The best way to cut corruption is to minimise human contact. This is what we are working towards,” the minister added.
Experts note that the new passport fees could have broader implications for mobility, education, and diaspora engagement.
With Nigeria ranking among the top five countries sending students abroad annually, analysts fear that higher fees could dampen international mobility for middle-class families.
Travel industry stakeholders have also warned that while reforms are necessary, sudden cost hikes without adequate consultation risk alienating Nigerians who rely on passports for business, education, and migration.
For now, citizens remain divided — some cautiously hopeful that the reforms will deliver quicker and corruption-free services, while others see the increment as yet another burden in a country battling inflation, unemployment, and economic hardship.