On August 28, 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced a significant upward review of passport fees, set to take effect from September 1, 2025. The decision, communicated through a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, aims to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while enhancing service delivery. Under the new fee structure, applicants in Nigeria will pay ₦100,000 for a 32-page passport with a five-year validity and ₦200,000 for a 64-page passport with a ten-year validity. For Nigerians in the diaspora, fees remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page booklet and $230 for the 64-page booklet. The announcement has sparked widespread discussion about the balance between affordability, quality, and the broader socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the fee hike, its rationale, the public’s response, and its implications for Nigeria’s immigration system and citizens at home and abroad.
The Fee Hike: Details and Implementation
The NIS’s decision to revise passport fees reflects a strategic effort to address operational challenges while maintaining the Nigerian passport’s status as a credible travel document. According to Akinsola Akinlabi, the fee adjustment is necessary to sustain the quality of passport production, improve service delivery, and ensure the document’s integrity in line with international standards. The new fee structure, effective from September 1, 2025, is as follows:
Applicants in Nigeria:
32-page passport (5-year validity): ₦100,000 (approximately $62 at the current exchange rate of ₦1,600/$1).
64-page passport (10-year validity): ₦200,000 (approximately $125).
Applicants in the Diaspora:
32-page passport (5-year validity): $150 (unchanged from previous rates).
64-page passport (10-year validity): $230 (unchanged from previous rates).
The decision to maintain diaspora fees at their current levels reflects an acknowledgment of the different economic realities faced by Nigerians abroad, who often operate in dollar-based economies with higher costs of living. In contrast, the significant increase in domestic fees—doubling or more in some cases—has raised concerns about affordability, particularly given Nigeria’s economic challenges, including inflation rates exceeding 30% and a weakening naira.
Akinlabi emphasized the NIS’s commitment to balancing affordability with efficiency, noting that the fee hike would enable investments in technology, infrastructure, and personnel training to streamline passport issuance processes. The statement also highlighted efforts to enhance the passport’s security features, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards to combat fraud and maintain global credibility.
Rationale: Quality, Integrity, and Service Delivery
The NIS’s decision to increase passport fees is rooted in several operational and strategic considerations:
Maintaining Passport Quality:
The Nigerian passport, as a critical identity and travel document, must meet stringent international standards to ensure its acceptance worldwide. This includes incorporating advanced security features, such as biometric data, microchips, and tamper-proof materials. The cost of producing such high-quality documents has risen, particularly with global supply chain disruptions and the naira’s depreciation, which increases the cost of imported materials.
The fee hike is intended to cover these production costs, ensuring that the Nigerian passport remains a reliable and respected document on the global stage.
Improving Service Delivery:
The NIS has faced persistent criticism for delays, inefficiencies, and corruption in the passport issuance process. Long queues, technical glitches, and allegations of bribery have plagued passport offices across Nigeria, undermining public trust. The increased revenue from the fee hike is expected to fund upgrades to online application systems, biometric capture technology, and processing centers, reducing wait times and improving user experience.
Investments in training for immigration officers and the deployment of automated systems are also planned to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Sustaining Operational Costs:
The NIS operates a network of passport offices in Nigeria and consular services abroad, requiring significant funding for staff salaries, equipment maintenance, and facility upgrades. The previous fee structure, unchanged for several years, was insufficient to cover these costs, particularly in the face of inflation and currency devaluation. The new fees aim to ensure the agency’s financial sustainability without relying heavily on government subsidies.
Combating Fraud and Corruption:
The Nigerian passport has faced challenges related to fraudulent applications and illegal issuance, often linked to corrupt practices within the system. By increasing fees and investing in secure technologies, the NIS aims to strengthen oversight and reduce opportunities for fraud, aligning with global efforts to combat identity theft and trafficking.
Akinlabi’s statement underscored these goals, framing the fee hike as a necessary step to modernize the immigration system while maintaining affordability where possible. The decision to keep diaspora fees unchanged reflects a strategic choice to avoid overburdening Nigerians abroad, many of whom contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy through remittances, estimated at $22 billion annually by the World Bank.
Public Reaction: Mixed Sentiments Amid Economic Hardship
The announcement of the fee hike has elicited a range of reactions from Nigerians, reflecting the country’s complex socio-economic landscape. On platforms like X, public discourse reveals a mix of frustration, understanding, and calls for accountability:
Frustration and Affordability Concerns:
Many Nigerians have expressed dismay at the steep increase in domestic fees, particularly the doubling of costs for the 32-page passport (from approximately ₦50,000 to ₦100,000) and the 64-page passport (from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000). With Nigeria’s minimum wage stagnant at ₦30,000 per month and inflation driving up living costs, the new fees are seen as prohibitive for many citizens.
Critics argue that the fee hike exacerbates inequality, as only wealthier Nigerians will be able to afford passports, limiting access to international travel and opportunities for education, work, or migration. A user on X commented, “₦100,000 for a passport? In this economy? NIS is pricing ordinary Nigerians out of their own country.”
Support for Quality Improvements:
Some Nigerians acknowledge the need for improved passport quality and service delivery, recognizing that outdated systems have hindered the process. Those who have experienced delays or corruption at passport offices view the fee hike as a potential step toward modernization, provided the funds are used effectively. A Lagos-based professional remarked, “If the NIS can deliver faster, corruption-free services, I’m willing to pay more. But they must show results.”
Skepticism About Implementation:
A significant portion of the public remains skeptical about the NIS’s ability to deliver on its promises. Past fee increases have not always translated into tangible improvements, and allegations of mismanagement persist. Calls for transparency in how the additional revenue will be spent are widespread, with many urging the NIS to publish detailed plans for infrastructure and technology upgrades.
Diaspora Perspectives:
Nigerians abroad have largely welcomed the decision to maintain diaspora fees at $150 and $230, recognizing the economic realities of their host countries. However, some have expressed solidarity with those in Nigeria, noting that the fee hike disproportionately affects citizens facing economic hardship at home.
The polarized reactions reflect broader tensions in Nigeria, where economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration—such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification—have increased living costs while promising long-term benefits. The passport fee hike, while less controversial than these reforms, adds to the financial burden on citizens, raising questions about accessibility and equity.
Context: Nigeria’s Immigration System and Economic Challenges
The passport fee hike must be understood within the broader context of Nigeria’s immigration system and economic realities:
Immigration System Challenges:
The NIS has struggled with inefficiencies, including outdated technology, understaffed offices, and allegations of corruption. Long queues at passport offices, delays in processing, and instances of applicants paying bribes to expedite services have been widely reported. The fee hike is part of a broader effort to modernize the system, but its success will depend on effective implementation and oversight.
The Nigerian passport’s credibility has also faced scrutiny, with reports of fraudulent issuance and weak security features. Aligning with ICAO standards requires significant investment, which the NIS aims to fund through the increased fees.
Economic Hardship:
Nigeria’s economy is grappling with high inflation, a weakening naira, and unemployment rates exceeding 33%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 and the floating of the naira have driven up costs for goods and services, straining household budgets. The passport fee hike, while aimed at improving services, adds to these pressures, particularly for low- and middle-income Nigerians.
Global Mobility and Diaspora Contributions:
The Nigerian passport is a critical tool for global mobility, enabling citizens to pursue education, employment, and business opportunities abroad. The diaspora, estimated at 17 million people, plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economy through remittances and investments. Maintaining affordable and accessible passport services is essential to supporting this global connectivity.
Government Reforms:
The fee hike aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader economic reforms, which prioritize fiscal sustainability and efficiency. Initiatives like the student loan scheme, small business support, and infrastructure investments reflect a focus on long-term development, but they require public patience amid short-term hardships. The NIS’s efforts to modernize passport services mirror this approach, aiming to deliver lasting improvements through upfront costs.
Implications for Nigerians and the Immigration System
The passport fee hike has significant implications for both citizens and the NIS:
Accessibility and Equity:
The increased fees risk limiting access to passports, particularly for low-income Nigerians who rely on international travel for education, work, or family reunification. This could exacerbate social inequalities, as wealthier citizens are better positioned to absorb the costs.
The unchanged diaspora fees may mitigate some criticism, but they highlight the economic disparity between Nigerians at home and abroad, potentially fueling resentment.
Service Delivery Improvements:
If the additional revenue is invested effectively, the NIS could significantly enhance its operations, reducing wait times, improving online systems, and combating corruption. A more efficient and transparent passport issuance process would benefit all applicants and strengthen Nigeria’s global reputation.
Public Trust and Accountability:
The success of the fee hike depends on the NIS’s ability to deliver tangible improvements. Past failures to translate revenue into results have eroded public trust, and the agency must demonstrate accountability through regular updates on how funds are used.
Global Competitiveness:
A high-quality, secure passport is essential for Nigeria’s integration into the global economy. By aligning with international standards, the NIS can enhance the passport’s credibility, facilitating travel and business opportunities for Nigerians.
Challenges and Opportunities
The fee hike presents several challenges and opportunities for the NIS and Nigerians:
Challenges:
Affordability: The steep increase in domestic fees could exclude many Nigerians from obtaining passports, limiting their access to global opportunities. The NIS must explore subsidies or payment plans for vulnerable groups to address this issue.
Implementation Risks: Without clear plans for utilizing the additional revenue, the fee hike risks being perceived as a revenue-grabbing exercise. The NIS must prioritize transparency and accountability to maintain public support.
Economic Context: The fee hike comes at a time of economic hardship, potentially fueling public discontent and protests. The government must communicate the long-term benefits effectively to mitigate backlash.
Opportunities:
Modernization: The increased revenue provides an opportunity to overhaul the passport issuance process, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and reduce corruption.
Global Standards: Investments in security features and compliance with ICAO standards can enhance the Nigerian passport’s credibility, benefiting travelers and the country’s international image.
Public Engagement: The NIS can use the fee hike as an opportunity to engage with citizens, addressing concerns and demonstrating tangible improvements in service delivery.
Conclusion
The Nigeria Immigration Service’s announcement of a passport fee hike, effective September 1, 2025, represents a strategic effort to balance quality, integrity, and efficiency in passport issuance. By increasing domestic fees to ₦100,000 for a 32-page passport and ₦200,000 for a 64-page passport, while maintaining diaspora fees at $150 and $230, the NIS aims to fund critical upgrades to its operations. The move aligns with the Tinubu administration’s broader economic reforms, which prioritize long-term development over short-term relief.
However, the fee hike has sparked concerns about affordability, particularly in a country grappling with inflation and economic hardship. The NIS must demonstrate accountability by investing the additional revenue in technology, infrastructure, and anti-corruption measures to win public trust. The unchanged diaspora fees reflect a sensitivity to global economic realities, but the domestic increase risks exacerbating inequalities.
As Nigeria navigates this transition, the success of the fee hike will depend on the NIS’s ability to deliver a modern, efficient, and transparent passport system. By addressing public concerns and showcasing tangible results, the agency can transform a controversial policy into a catalyst for improving global mobility and national pride for Nigerians at home and abroad.
