The Nigerian government has officially announced an increase in the cost of obtaining a Nigerian passport, with new prices set to take effect from September 1, 2024. According to a statement released late Wednesday, the price of a 32-page passport with a 5-year validity will rise from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000. Similarly, the 64-page passport, which previously cost ₦70,000, will now be ₦100,000. However, this price hike only affects Nigerians residing within the country, as the statement clarified that fees for Nigerians abroad will remain unchanged.
Reasons Behind the Price Increase
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) provided several reasons for the increase in passport fees. One of the key factors is the rising cost of production and issuance, which has necessitated the price adjustment to maintain the sustainability of the process without compromising the security and quality standards of Nigerian passports globally.
Additionally, the NIS emphasized that the fee increase would contribute to reducing the processing time for passport applications, enabling applicants to receive their passports faster. The new fees are also expected to support the local production of passport materials, reducing dependency on imports and boosting the Nigerian economy.
Over the past year, significant improvements have been made in the passport application process in Nigeria. In June 2023, the acting Comptroller General of the NIS, Adepoju Wuraola, assured in an interview with BBC Pidgin that efforts were being made to address the challenges Nigerians face when applying for passports.
The current Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also highlighted during an exclusive interview with BBC Pidgin that his top priority is to digitize the passport application process and make it almost fully autonomous. He mentioned that the government aims to reduce the time it takes to process a passport application to between two and three weeks.
“Realistically, we are targeting two weeks (for passport renewal), but in some cases, it might still take up to three weeks. However, with the reforms we are introducing in the coming weeks, even two weeks may be too long; we are aiming for a one-week processing time,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
According to the minister, the only reason applicants would need to visit an Immigration office would be for biometric data capture. All other aspects of the application process can be completed online through the Immigration website.
Previously, applying for a Nigerian passport could take several months, with reports of some immigration officers extorting money from applicants to expedite the process. The recent reforms aim to eliminate such issues and streamline the application process.
How to Apply for a Nigerian Passport
For those looking to apply for a Nigerian passport, the official website is passport.immigration.gov.ng. Below are the requirements for both adult and minor applicants:
For Adults:
- Letter of identification from Local Government/State of origin or residence, or National Identity Card.
- For government employees: Letter of introduction stating Service Number, Length of Service, and Designation/Rank.
- Valid staff ID card.
- Completed passport application form.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Birth Certificate (Individuals born from December 1992 onwards must submit a certificate issued by the National Population Commission).
- Applicants without a birth certificate must provide an age declaration document endorsed by a Commissioner for Oaths, along with one passport-sized photograph.
- Acknowledgement Slip and Evidence of Payment.
For Minors:
- Completed passport application form, with one passport-sized photograph to be endorsed on the reverse side by the consenting parent(s).
- Evidence of Nigerian citizenship of parent(s).
- Birth certificate (issued by the National Population Commission for minors born in Nigeria).
- Letter of consent from either parent.
- Acknowledgement Slip and Evidence of Payment.
- For adopted children, parents must provide a court order and a letter of approval from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
With these new changes, the Nigerian government aims to improve the efficiency and security of its passport issuance process while supporting local economic growth.
