Abuja, August 28, 2025 — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a sharp increase in the cost of obtaining the Nigerian international passport, raising the fee for the 32-page, 5-year validity booklet from N26,000 to N100,000.
The new tariff, which takes effect from September 1, 2025, marks one of the most significant adjustments in passport pricing in recent years. According to the NIS, the move is aimed at aligning production costs with current economic realities and ensuring sustainable service delivery.
The announcement has sparked immediate public debate, with concerns about affordability for ordinary Nigerians, especially students, business travelers, and those in the diaspora who frequently rely on the service.
NIS officials, however, maintain that the increment will help improve passport issuance processes, reduce shortages, and fund upgrades to biometric systems and digital infrastructure. The service has faced long-standing criticism over delays, scarcity of booklets, and extortion at passport offices.
Stakeholders say the development could have broader implications on mobility, migration, and remittances, considering Nigeria’s large diaspora population.
Public reactions are expected to intensify in the coming days, as civil society groups and labor unions are likely to weigh in on the policy shift.
