The federal government has listed four main reasons for raising the fees of the Nigerian international passport, effective from September 1, 2024.
In a circular released on Saturday, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) said the rise in fees was based on four major reasons and considerations by the agency.
Recall that TheWitness earlier reported that the NIS has announced an upward revision of passport fees for Nigerians residing within the country.
Specifically, the fee for a 32-page passport booklet with a 5-year validity will rise from N35,000 to N50,000. Additionally, the cost of a 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity will increase from N70,000 to N100,000.
This announcement sparked a significant backlash from Nigerians, who are already grappling with the high cost of living and other economic hardships. Many have criticized the government’s decision, deeming it insensitive to the struggles of the average citizen.
In response to the public outcry, the NIS issued a circular explaining the reasons behind the increase in passport fees across various categories.
Reasons for Increasing Passport Fees
In the statement released on Saturday, NIS said:
“This is in furtherance of the #RenewedHope Agenda of Mr. President to build local content,” NIS added.
Nigeria’s passport system has undergone significant improvements, particularly under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
However, despite these advancements, Nigeria’s global passport ranking remains low. According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, Nigeria is ranked 95th, tied with Sudan, reflecting the limited travel freedoms available to Nigerian passport holders.
