Abuja, August 28, 2025 – The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a major upward review of standard Nigerian passport application fees, a development that is already stirring mixed reactions among citizens.
According to the new directive, which takes effect from September 1, 2025, Nigerians applying for passports within the country will now pay ₦100,000 for a 32-page passport with five-year validity, while a 64-page passport with ten-year validity will cost ₦200,000.
The Service clarified that the increment applies only to applications processed in Nigeria. Passport fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page (five years) and $230 for the 64-page (ten years).
In a statement signed by the NIS Public Relations Officer, ACI AS Akinlabi, the agency explained that the adjustment became necessary to maintain the quality, security features, and international standard of the Nigerian passport.
“The review is part of our continuous efforts to uphold the integrity of the Nigerian Passport while ensuring that services remain accessible to Nigerians at home and abroad,” the statement read.
The Immigration Service added that despite the higher cost, it is committed to balancing affordability with quality service delivery, stressing that the Nigerian passport remains one of the most respected in Africa due to its biometric and anti-forgery features.
However, the announcement has triggered early reactions among Nigerians, especially on social media, where many have expressed concerns over the affordability of the new rates amidst the country’s prevailing economic hardship.
While some argue that the increment will help the government sustain better services and curb racketeering in passport offices, others believe it will place an additional financial burden on average Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
Analysts also note that the unchanged fees for diaspora applicants could encourage more Nigerians abroad to continue processing their passports outside the country, raising questions about fairness for those at home.
The NIS has urged citizens to prepare ahead of the September 1 deadline and assured applicants of faster processing and improved transparency in its operations going forward.
