The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has defended the recent increase in international passport fees, saying the adjustment is part of a wider reform to curb corruption, enhance national security, and restore the credibility of the Nigerian passport as a respected global identity document.
Speaking at the Ministry of Interior’s mid-term performance retreat in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo explained that the creation of a centralized personalization center will streamline passport issuance by cutting off human interference and dismantling entrenched corruption networks within the system.
According to him, Passport Control Officers (PCOs) will no longer have the power to approve or delay applications, a move aimed at ending years of exploitation and extortion. “Some PCOs had so much power that they could decide not to print a passport until they were settled. That abuse of power ends now,” the minister stated.
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The minister assured Nigerians that once an application is successfully submitted, passport processing will not exceed seven days. He stressed that the reforms are built on transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
Citing a case of fraud, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that a Ugandan woman was arrested at Lagos Airport with a Nigerian passport obtained illegally for $1,000. “That cannot continue. Our passport must remain a true symbol of Nigerian identity,” he said.
New Passport Fees Effective September 2025
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had earlier announced that beginning September 1, 2025, passport applications within Nigeria will cost:
₦100,000 for a 32-page, five-year validity booklet
₦200,000 for a 64-page, 10-year validity booklet
Fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 and $230 respectively.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the price hike was not arbitrary but necessary to sustain a corruption-free and efficient system. “If we want a system free of bribery, delays, and fraud, we must invest in that system. This is not just a hike; it’s a commitment to a new standard,” he added.
Criticism from Peter Obi and Others
Reacting to the development, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, condemned the federal government’s decision, describing it as “insensitive” given the harsh economic realities faced by Nigerians.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Obi wrote: “The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary and continues to reveal its disconnect with the people and their suffering. Instead of offering relief, the government keeps shifting the burden onto ordinary Nigerians. It is alarming that the price of the international passport is higher than what workers earn in a month.”
Social commentator, Alex Adagi, also mocked the decision, saying: “They say the passport is now more secure. But who needs a secure passport when they can’t afford to eat? You’ve priced Nigerians out of their own nationality.”
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Alobo Edu, described the hike as “arbitrary and unconstitutional,” insisting it denies citizens access to mobility and identification. He urged the government to reverse the decision, warning that pricing essential documents above workers’ wages is a violation of their rights.
