THE Nigerian Presidency has defended the recent increase in passport application fees by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), arguing that many Nigerians have historically paid even higher amounts unofficially to expedite passport processing.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Temitope Ajayi, made the remarks on X (formerly Twitter) amid widespread criticism of the new fee structure.
Starting September 1, 2025, a 32-page passport with a five-year validity will cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport valid for ten years will be priced at ₦200,000.
The revised fees apply only to applications within Nigeria, with passports obtained abroad remaining at $150 and $230, respectively.
The Immigration Service justified the hike, stating that it is necessary to “uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Passport.”
However, critics, including opposition figure Peter Obi, condemned the move as burdensome, particularly in a country where the new minimum wage is ₦70,000.
Obi described the increase as evidence of the government’s “apparent disconnect with the people and the suffering they endure.”
Responding to these criticisms, the Presidency clarified that the new official fees replace unofficial payments previously made as bribes to immigration officers for expedited services.
Ajayi emphasized, “The difference now is that the money will go into government coffers for the same express service instead of private pockets.”
The announcement underscores ongoing tensions around the cost of essential government services, highlighting the balancing act between maintaining official standards and ensuring affordability for citizens.