The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a fresh increase in the cost of obtaining Nigerian passports, sparking conversations nationwide. Beginning September 1, 2025, Nigerians applying for passports within the country will now pay ₦100,000 for a 32-page booklet and ₦200,000 for a 64-page booklet.
This comes just a year after a similar hike in 2024, and it marks one of the steepest adjustments in the history of Nigeria’s passport fees. To help you understand the development, let’s break down the details, reasons, and implications.
📌 New Fee Structure (Effective September 1, 2025)
| Passport Type | Validity Period | New Fee (Nigeria) | Fee for Diaspora Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32-page booklet | 5 years | ₦100,000 | $150 |
| 64-page booklet | 10 years | ₦200,000 | $230 |
✅ Important Note: While Nigerians at home face the new prices, those in the diaspora will continue paying the old rates in dollars.
📊 A Look Back: Passport Fee Increases in Nigeria
The 2025 hike is not the first. In fact, passport fees have been steadily climbing:
| Year of Change | 32-page Passport | 64-page Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2024 | ₦35,000 | ₦70,000 |
| Sept 1, 2024 | ₦50,000 | ₦100,000 |
| Sept 1, 2025 | ₦100,000 | ₦200,000 |
This means that in just two years, the cost of a Nigerian passport has nearly tripled.
⚖️ Why Did the Government Increase the Fees?
According to official statements from the Ministry of Interior and the Immigration Service, the hike is aimed at:
- Covering Production Costs: Passports are produced using advanced biometric technology, which officials say is expensive to maintain.
- Ensuring Quality and Security: Authorities argue that higher fees will sustain the integrity of the passport, reduce forgery, and maintain global acceptance.
- Matching Economic Realities: Inflation, rising production costs, and the weakening naira were cited as major reasons for the adjustment.
🌍 How Does Nigeria Compare Globally?
While ₦100,000 (approx. $70) or ₦200,000 (approx. $140) may seem excessive for many Nigerians, it is interesting to compare with other countries:
- United States: $130 (≈ ₦180,000) for a 10-year passport.
- United Kingdom: £88.50 (≈ ₦170,000) for a 34-page adult passport.
- Ghana: GH₵500 (≈ ₦45,000) for a standard 32-page passport.
- South Africa: R600 (≈ ₦50,000) for a standard passport.
👉 Nigeria’s new passport fees now rank among the highest in Africa, although still slightly lower than the U.S. and U.K. when converted directly.
💡 Implications for Nigerians
- Financial Burden: For an average Nigerian worker earning minimum wage (₦30,000/month), saving ₦100,000–₦200,000 for a passport may be almost impossible.
- Diaspora Advantage: Nigerians abroad benefit since their fees remain unchanged in dollars, making it relatively cheaper than what citizens at home now pay.
- Impact on Mobility: The hike could discourage some Nigerians from applying for passports, especially students and job seekers who rely on international opportunities.
- Possible Reduction in Middlemen/Extortion: With the official cost now this high, the black market for “express passports” may decline, since the gap between official and illegal charges is smaller.
🧾 What This Means for Students and Travelers
- Students Seeking Scholarships Abroad: If you plan to study overseas, you must factor in the higher cost of obtaining or renewing a passport.
- Job Seekers: Many Nigerians applying for international jobs or migration opportunities will need to budget more.
- Frequent Travelers: Businesspeople who need the 64-page passport will now pay ₦200,000, a significant increase.
🚨 Public Reactions
Already, the news has generated strong reactions online. Many Nigerians argue that:
- The timing is insensitive, given the current economic hardship.
- The increase may limit access to passports for ordinary citizens, leaving them at a disadvantage globally.
- Government should have considered subsidizing passports for students, low-income earners, or first-time applicants.
On the other hand, supporters of the policy believe that:
- The hike will reduce corruption in the system by discouraging middlemen.
- Higher revenue could help improve immigration services, passport production, and clearance delays.
✅ Final Thoughts
The new passport fee hike by the Nigeria Immigration Service is both a revenue-driven policy and a reflection of Nigeria’s economic realities. While it places Nigeria among the highest-charging countries for passports in Africa, the true challenge lies in balancing government funding needs with citizens’ ability to afford essential documents.
For Nigerians, especially students and workers seeking opportunities abroad, this development underscores the importance of planning ahead financially. Whether we like it or not, the Nigerian passport remains a key to global mobility — and the price of that key has just doubled.
