The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially defended its decision to raise passport application fees substantially, stating the increases are essential for improving the integrity of travel documents, eradicating corruption, and guaranteeing faster delivery. From September 1, 2025, the cost for a 32-page, five-year passport will be ₦100,000, while a 64-page, ten-year passport will now cost ₦200,000. It was emphasized that Nigerians in the diaspora will continue to pay $150 and $230 respectively for these passports .
This marks the second fee increase in just over a year. In August 2024, the government raised the 32-page passport fee from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000, and the 64-page version from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 . The doubling of these fees now represents a dramatic leap for Nigerians seeking travel documentation.
Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo defended the move, saying the new pricing reflects a commitment to deliver passports within one week of application—far faster than the several-month delays previously experienced. He recounted how, even as a high-profile official, he had to pay “hundreds of thousands” in bribes to secure a passport for his daughter in the past, illustrating the systemic corruption the reforms aim to eliminate .
Integral to the reforms is the commissioning of the largest centralized passport personalization center in Africa. The facility reportedly allows for printing at five times its previous capacity and enables vetting in just 24 hours. The removal of discretionary power from Passport Control Officers (PCOs)—who once could delay or withhold passports unless “settled”—further reduces opportunities for extortion, according to the minister .
Finally, the government stressed this initiative is not just about speed or cost but preserving national security and documenting authenticity. Dr. Tunji-Ojo referenced a notorious case where a Ugandan woman was arrested for using a Nigerian passport obtained through illicit means. The reforms, he argued, reaffirm that Nigerian passports should only be issued to bona fide citizens, restoring credibility and national integrity to the travel document .
