Effective September 1st, 2024, Nigerian residents will see a notable increase in passport fees as the Federal Government seeks to elevate the quality and credibility of the Nigerian Standard Passport to align with global standards. This adjustment is one of many measures being taken to ensure the document remains a reliable form of identification for citizens of Nigeria. DCI KT Udo, the Service Public Relations Officer at the Service Headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced this decision through an official statement.
The NIS revealed a significant change in their fee system through their official X account. The updated pricing model will result in a substantial increase in the price of passport booklets. Moving forward, individuals will need to pay ₦50,000 instead of the previous ₦35,000 to acquire a 32-page passport booklet with a validity period of 5 years. In comparison, the price of a 10-year validity passport booklet for Nigerians residing in the country has increased from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000, while the cost for Nigerians living abroad remains the same. The passport booklet consists of 64 pages.
Increasing expenses of producing and issuing will be addressed.
Also, the NIS underscored the need for a fee hike to cover the escalating expenses of producing and issuing passports. They added that this is necessary to maintain the Sustainability of the process and meet the high Security and quality requirements in the current global landscape. The NIS recognised the possible inconvenience that these changes could bring to new applicants but assured the public that it remains fully dedicated to providing transparent, efficient, and top-notch services.
This is one of many changes implemented to enhance the country’s passport system. Led by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Nigeria Immigration Service has made substantial progress in resolving longstanding problems with passport issuance. Minister Tunji-Ojo took action in August 2023 by instructing the NIS to swiftly process a massive backlog of 200,000 applications that had been causing frustration among Nigerians for years. In just two weeks, the NIS was able to announce in October 2023 that they had accomplished this task, encouraging citizens to pick up their passports from designated offices.
System efficiency and timely delivery will be enhanced.
In order to regain public trust in the passport issuance system and facilitate timely delivery of travel documents to citizens, a significant milestone was reached. Additional improvements were unveiled in May 2024, including the introduction of home delivery for passports starting in June. This program’s goal is to make it easier for Nigerians to access immigration services without having to physically go to immigration offices. This is especially beneficial for individuals residing in hard-to-reach locations or experiencing challenges in visiting immigration centres.
Despite progress, Nigeria still struggles with its global ranking. In the latest 2024 Henley Passport Index, Nigeria was ranked 95th, on par with Sudan, indicating the restricted travel options for Nigerian passport bearers. This position emphasises the obstacles in the Nigerian government’s efforts to enhance its reputation worldwide and provide more travel options for its people. In light of these circumstances, raising the fees starting on September 1st, 2024, is viewed as a vital measure to uphold the standards and authenticity of the Nigerian Standard Passport amidst the growing expenses related to its production and distribution.
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Lastly, the government is making strides to improve the system, however, the increase in fees may be received differently by the public given the current economic hardships. As the implementation date nears, the NIS will need to ramp up their efforts in informing Nigerians about the fee adjustments and the reasons behind them. The government’s capacity to sustain reform momentum in issuance will determine the success of these measures, as service quality enhancements must progress in tandem with fee changes.