The Nigerian government has decided to raise the cost of getting an international passport starting from September 1, 2024. They have given four main reasons for this increase.
On Saturday, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) shared a notice explaining why they are raising the passport fees.
Earlier, Newslodge reported that the NIS announced new, higher prices for passports for Nigerians living in the country.
Starting soon, if you want to get a 32-page passport booklet that lasts for 5 years, you will now have to pay N50,000 instead of the old price of N35,000. For the 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity, the price will go up from N70,000 to N100,000.
This news has upset many Nigerians, as many people are already finding it hard to afford everyday things. People have said the government’s timing is bad and shows they don’t understand the struggles of regular citizens.
Because of the upset reactions, the NIS sent out a note explaining why the new passport prices are necessary.
Why Are Passport Fees Increasing?
Here are the 4 reasons:
- The NIS wants to improve the quality of the Nigerian passport so it meets international standards.
- Materials and production costs have gone up, so passport fees need to rise as well.
- The new fees will help the NIS create more passport offices and biometrics centers. This will make it easier for people to access services and reduce crowding at existing centers. Plus, it will speed up the time it takes to get a passport.
- The higher fees will also help in making sure all passport materials are made in Nigeria, supporting local businesses.
“This is to support the #RenewedHope Agenda of Mr. President to boost local content,” added the NIS.
Important Information
Nigeria’s passport system has gotten much better, especially with the help of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Still, Nigeria’s passport is ranked low worldwide. In the 2024 Henley Passport Index, Nigeria is 95th, along with Sudan, which means Nigerian passport holders don’t have much travel freedom.