This is the New Price You’ll Pay to Obtain a Nigerian Passport

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has announced a hike in the fees for processing and acquiring Nigerian passport, sparking reactions from citizens across social media platforms.

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the NIS spokesman, DCI Kenneth Udo, revealed that the Federal Government approved the fee increase to help maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.

The new pricing structure will come into effect on September 1, 2024.

With the new changes, applicants for the 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity will now pay ₦100,000.

Similarly, the fee for a 32-page passport booklet with a 5-year validity will rise from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000. Despite the increases, the NIS clarified that the fees for passport processing in the diaspora would remain unchanged.

While the NIS acknowledged that the higher fees might cause some inconvenience, they assured Nigerians of their commitment to transparency and quality service delivery.

Social Media Reactions

The fee increase has drawn criticism on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

Many users expressed their disappointment, raising concerns about the affordability of the new rates, especially given the economic challenges facing the country.

On X, user Callme_Wéalth EndSars, tweeting as #Lexyzdoo, highlighted the disparity between online and offline payments for the 32-page passport, stating, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages.”

Another Facebook user, Taiwo Olaoye, voiced frustration over the hidden costs associated with the process, commenting, “Without the hiked-up fees, you still have to pay an arm and a leg as bribery for them to do their jobs. That’s why my passport will forever remain expired. It will end up being expired in five years anyway.”

Beyond the increased fees, many Nigerians expressed concerns over corruption within the NIS, claiming that some officials demand extra, unofficial payments to expedite passport processing.

Others criticized the government’s insensitivity to the masses, pointing out the ongoing economic hardships and rising inflation.

The announcement has reignited conversations about the broader challenges citizens face in accessing government services, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability within the NIS.