The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has explained that the recent hike in international passport fees is aimed at improving the quality, speed, and accessibility of the process.
News About Nigeria reports that the federal government approved the upward review of the cost of obtaining the country’s passport on August 21.
According to Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, NIS Comptroller in Adamawa, the new fees will take effect on September 1 and will apply to applicants in Nigeria, who will now pay ₦50,000 for a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity period, up from the previous ₦35,000.
The 64-page passport booklet with a ten-year validity period will now cost ₦100,000, an increase from ₦70,000. However, Mohammed noted that applicants outside Nigeria will not be affected by the fee increase.
The Comptroller justified the government’s decision, stating that the new passport features enhanced security measures, including fingerprints, making it more difficult to counterfeit or tamper with.
Mohammed advised applicants to apply online or visit NIS offices directly, warning against patronising agents to avoid being scammed.
He also urged religious leaders to inform their followers about the development and noted that any applicant who submits their application before the deadline will still be charged the old rate.
The NIS plans to extend the awareness campaign to local government areas, starting with Mubi.
Representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim Council, Adamawa, expressed appreciation for the enlightenment and promised to disseminate the information to their followers.
The NIS has also taken the sensitisation campaign to motor parks and major streets in the state capital.
