The Nigerian government has announced a significant increase in the fees for obtaining a Nigerian passport. Starting September 1, 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity will rise from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000. Additionally, the price of a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will increase from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000. This price adjustment applies only to Nigerians residing in Nigeria, with no changes for those living abroad.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) cited rising production costs and the need to maintain high security and quality standards as key reasons for the fee hike. The NIS also emphasized that the increase would support local production of passport materials, reduce dependency on imports, and ultimately boost the economy. Furthermore, the additional revenue is expected to expedite the passport processing time, allowing applicants to receive their documents more quickly.
The NIS also plans to expand the number of passport application centers across Nigeria, including in rural areas, to make the process more accessible.
Since assuming office in August 2023, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has implemented several reforms aimed at streamlining the passport application process. Among these reforms is the ongoing digitization of the application process, with a goal to reduce the waiting time for passports to as little as one week. Applicants will soon only need to visit the Immigration office for biometric data capture, with all other procedures handled online.
Previously, obtaining a passport could take several months, and there were widespread reports of corruption among immigration officials. These reforms are expected to address such issues, making the process more transparent and efficient.
