Nigerians React Angrily To 100 Percent Passport Fee Hike

The Federal Government’s decision to double the cost of Nigerian passports has sparked outrage across the country, with many citizens describing the move as insensitive given the state of the economy.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that from September 1, 2025, a 32-page passport with five-year validity will cost ₦100,000, while the 64-page, 10-year option will be ₦200,000. Fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain at $150 and $230, respectively. The review comes less than a year after a similar increase in September 2024.

According to NIS spokesperson ACI AS Akinlabi, the hike was necessary to “uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.”

But the explanation has done little to calm public anger. On X, many users accused the government of worsening the economic burden on citizens. “Was it not last year you increased the price… Make una try pity una fellow Nigerians abeg… The economy is bad,” wrote @Cpthemonarch. Another user, @JimohRapport, questioned the affordability: “So, a minimum wage earner will have to save how many months of their salary to get a passport? Una wicked oh!”

Others dismissed the NIS justification. “How does increasing the price affect the integrity of the passport? Just making lives unbearable for the masses,” posted @strive2exzel. @beefylegz argued that the government should focus on strengthening the passport’s global value rather than raising costs.

Some, however, defended the review. @Darpor__ said: “The value of a nation is reflected in the strength of its passport. Paying a little more for a document that carries our identity with pride is worth it.” Another user, @Terrykom3, noted that “maintenance and regular upgrades are required for technological solutions, so it’s not bad for a review.”

Still, many saw the decision as another example of hardship under the current administration. “This Renewed hope in the APC regime have been serious pain to the masses,” wrote @Omas57165980. In a sarcastic jab, @S_Abdul06 added: “Try and make it ₦500k pls… so that we can start selling our homes to get a passport.”

The debate has also raised questions about oversight. “What is the national assembly doing about all this price increments? Why should our passport be more expensive than our minimum wage?” asked @EtitiIfeanyi.

While the NIS insists the fee adjustment will sustain quality and service delivery, many Nigerians remain unconvinced, viewing it as another policy that pushes survival further out of reach.