Nigeria Increases Passport Fees to ₦100,000 and ₦200,000 Nationwide Starting September

The Federal Government has announced a sharp increase in Nigerian international passport fees, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism across the country. Beginning 1 September 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed that the cost of obtaining a passport in Nigeria will double, with the new rates applying exclusively to domestic applicants.

Under the revised pricing structure, the standard 32-page passport with five-year validity will now cost ₦100,000, while the 64-page passport with ten-year validity rises to ₦200,000. Nigerians applying through foreign missions will not be affected and will continue to pay $150 and $230, respectively, for the two options.

Public response to the announcement has been swift and overwhelmingly negative. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), many Nigerians condemned the timing of the hike, arguing that it places essential travel documents further out of reach for ordinary citizens. With inflation surging and wages stagnating, critics warned that academics, civil servants, and low-income earners may now struggle to afford passports, potentially curbing opportunities for study, work, and travel abroad.

Government officials, however, defended the decision, saying it was necessary to sustain efficient service delivery and protect the “quality and integrity” of Nigerian passports. The NIS explained that higher fees will fund advanced security features, strengthen production systems, and speed up processing times. Authorities maintain that the upgrade is essential to ensure Nigerian passports remain globally recognised and resistant to fraud.

This is the second major price increase in less than a year. In 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport was raised from about ₦35,000 to ₦50,000, while the 64-page version jumped from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000. The latest adjustment, which has doubled those figures again in under twelve months, has fuelled concern that frequent hikes could worsen financial strain on households already under pressure.

The disparity between domestic and overseas application fees has reignited debates over fairness and accessibility, with many questioning whether the government’s strategy adequately reflects Nigeria’s economic realities. Comparisons with passport and visa costs in other African countries have further sharpened scrutiny, as citizens call for a balance between revenue generation and affordability.

More broadly, the policy shift highlights a global trend in which governments are increasingly passing the costs of biometric identity systems onto citizens. While enhanced digital security features often justify higher production expenses, critics argue that Nigeria’s sudden and steep increases are disproportionate and poorly timed, intensifying public discontent.

Ultimately, while officials describe the revised passport fees as vital for sustainability and modernisation, many Nigerians view them as another burden during a period of economic hardship. The decision underscores the growing gap between government policy and the lived experiences of ordinary citizens, as the FG raises Nigerian passport costs to ₦100,000 and ₦200,000 nationwide.