Why the Nigerian Immigration Service Increased Passport Fees

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has raised the fees for passports to make them better quality, process them faster, and make them easier to get.

Ibrahim Mohammed, the NIS Comptroller in Adamawa, shared this information at a public event in Yola, launching a campaign to let residents know about the fee changes starting September 1.

The price for a 32-page passport valid for five years will now be ₦50,000, up from ₦35,000. A 64-page passport with ten years of validity will cost ₦100,000, increased from ₦70,000.

Some of the reasons for the increase:

1. Improved Quality and SecurityThe new fees will help enhance the overall quality and security features of the passports to meet international standards. The new passports will have better security features, like fingerprint checks, making them very hard to fake.

2. Rising Production CostsThe increase addresses the rising costs associated with the production of passports, such as materials and technology needed for advanced security features.

3. Enhanced Access and EfficiencyBy increasing the fees, the NIS plans to open more passport front offices and biometric centres. This expansion aims to make passport services more accessible to the public and reduce wait times.

4. Domestic ProductionPart of the fee increase will support the NIS’s goal to completely localise the production of Nigerian passport booklets, ensuring that all parts of the process meet high standards of quality and security.

5. Specific Pricing ChangesStarting September 1, 2024, the cost for a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity will increase from N35,000 to N50,000. Similarly, a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will rise from N70,000 to N100,000. Fees for Nigerians applying from abroad will remain unchanged.