Immigration Service justifies passport fee increase, gives key 4 reasons

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has outlined four primary reasons for the upcoming increase in Nigerian passport fees, set to take effect on September 1, 2024.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the NIS detailed the factors driving the fee adjustments.

As reported earlier, the NIS confirmed a significant rise in passport fees for citizens living in Nigeria.

The cost of a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity will jump from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will increase from N70,000 to N100,000.

This decision has sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians expressing frustration, especially in light of the ongoing economic challenges.

Critics argue that the timing of the increase is particularly harsh on citizens already struggling with the high cost of living.

In response, the NIS issued a detailed explanation for the fee hike, citing four key reasons.

The reasons include : Enhanced Passport Standards and Quality: The new fees are intended to ensure that Nigerian passports continue to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, maintaining their global credibility.

Rising Production Costs: The fees have been adjusted to reflect the current costs of materials and production, which have increased due to various economic factors.

Expansion of Passport Facilities: The additional revenue will allow the NIS to establish more passport processing centers and biometric facilities, reducing congestion at existing locations and speeding up the passport issuance process.

Domestic Production Goals: The fee increase is part of a broader strategy to achieve full domestication of passport booklet production, aligning with the president’s #RenewedHope Agenda to boost local content.

The NIS also highlighted the improvements in Nigeria’s passport system, particularly under the leadership of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Recall that in August 2023, Tunji-Ojo tasked the NIS with clearing a backlog of over 200,000 pending passport applications, a goal that was successfully met by October 2023.

Furthering these advancements, the government introduced home delivery of passports in June 2024, making the process more convenient for citizens. Despite these efforts, Nigeria’s passport still ranks low on the global stage, placing 95th alongside Sudan on the 2024 Henley Passport Index, which reflects the limited travel privileges available to Nigerian passport holders.