By Praise Afolabi
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has announced an upward review of the fees for the issuance of standard passports. The decision, according to the service, is aimed at maintaining the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport, which remains a vital travel document for citizens at home and abroad.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 28, and signed by the Public Relations Officer, ACI A.S. Akinlabi, the NIS disclosed that the new rates will take effect from September 1, 2025. The review, however, applies only to applications made within Nigeria.
Under the new arrangement, the cost of obtaining a 32-page passport with a five-year validity period will now stand at N100,000, while a 64-page passport with a ten-year validity will cost N200,000. This represents a significant adjustment from the previous fees but, according to the NIS, is necessary to strengthen service delivery, improve efficiency, and safeguard the document against forgery and abuse.
For Nigerians residing abroad, passport application fees remain unchanged. Applicants in the diaspora will continue to pay $150 for the 32-page, five-year option and $230 for the 64-page, ten-year option. The service emphasized that this decision was made in recognition of the unique challenges faced by Nigerians overseas.
Akinlabi further explained that the review was not only about revenue generation but also about striking a balance between accessibility and quality assurance. He reassured citizens that the NIS remains committed to providing efficient, transparent, and secure passport services to all Nigerians.
The announcement has generated widespread discussions among citizens, with many acknowledging the importance of improving passport services, though concerns remain over the affordability of the new rates. The NIS, however, maintains that the changes are essential to preserve the credibility of Nigeria’s passport on the global stage.
