CurrentReport Blog The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has clarified the recent 45% hike in international passport fees, attributing it to the exchange rate disparity between the Naira and the US Dollar. Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the Nigerian government cannot subsidize passport costs for its citizens.
The minister explained that the adjustment, announced by the Nigerian Immigration Service in August 2024, was necessary due to the rising cost of production influenced by the volatile exchange rate. “The increase in passport fees is a matter of cost-benefit analysis, especially when you consider the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira. If the government were to subsidize anything, I don’t think it should be passports,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
The revised fees mean that the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity has risen from N35,000 to N50,000, while the 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity now costs N100,000, up from N70,000. The minister noted that the increase primarily affects Nigerians within the country, as there has been no change in fees for Nigerians living abroad.
Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to understand the rationale behind the increment, stressing that the decision was made after careful consideration of the current economic realities. He reiterated that the government’s focus remains on improving the quality and efficiency of passport issuance.
The new fee structure has sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians expressing concerns over affordability. However, the Minister of Interior assured that efforts are ongoing to enhance service delivery and reduce the waiting time for passport processing.
