Nigerians have expressed mixed feelings over the Federal Government’s decision to raise the cost of international passports by 100 percent, a policy that took effect on September 1.
While some residents acknowledged improvements in processing speed, many criticized the new fees as burdensome, particularly for students, small business owners, and low-income earners. They also called for greater transparency and accountability in the passport issuance process.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had announced the new rates on August 28, stating that the review was necessary to sustain the enhanced e-passport regime and maintain the integrity of the Nigerian passport.
Under the revised fees, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity now costs ₦100,000 in Nigeria, while a 64-page booklet with 10-year validity costs ₦200,000. For Nigerians abroad, the cost remains $150 and $230 for the respective booklets.
Mixed Public Reactions
Some Nigerians argued that the hike was too steep. Aisha Musa, a trader applying for her first passport, described the ₦100,000 charge as “simply crushing,” stressing that many families would struggle to afford it.
For students, the development posed new challenges. Toluwani Johnson, a student of the University of Abuja, said the increase created “another barrier for young people,” noting that many already struggled to save the old fee of ₦50,000.
Travel consultants and agents offered a more measured view. Success Daniel, a consultant, said faster processing might justify the higher fees if delays were eliminated. Similarly, Abdullahi Adamu, another agent, said the increase was not surprising given technological and security upgrades but urged the government to ensure the system works efficiently without failures or exploitation.
Other residents emphasized that reliability, not just cost, remained their main concern. Engineer Benson Eze said applicants wanted certainty and speed, not repeated visits and extra charges. Civil servant Ngozi Kalu expressed worry about unofficial payments, urging tighter monitoring of staff to eliminate extortion.
Retiree Adeniyi Adekunle described the process as unnecessarily lengthy and urged the government to balance revenue generation with efficient service delivery.
Government Response
In response, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured Nigerians of significant reforms in passport issuance. He announced that, moving forward, passports would be ready within one week of enrolment.
“Our goal is not just faster delivery but a passport system that reflects the integrity and dignity of our nation,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the introduction of a centralised personalisation centre would speed up processing and enhance security. With the facility, he added, Nigeria now has the capacity to print far more passports than needed, with vetting completed within 24 hours of enrolment.
He further noted that Passport Control Officers would no longer have powers to delay or approve applications, a reform aimed at curbing corruption and eliminating bottlenecks.
“We realised that the best way to cut corruption is to reduce human contact to the barest minimum,” the minister emphasized.