Why Nigeria Increased International Passport Fees by 45% – Tunji-Ojo Explains

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday provided a comprehensive explanation for the recent 45% increase in Nigerian international passport fees.

During a media briefing held in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo attributed the hike to the fluctuating exchange rate between the Naira and the dollar. He emphasized that the government could not subsidize passport fees due to the economic realities facing the country.

Tunji-Ojo stated, "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." He further clarified that the fee hike only affects residents in Nigeria, with no changes for Nigerians living abroad.

The Nigerian Immigration Service had announced the new fee structure in August 2024. According to the revised fees, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity now costs N50,000, up from N35,000, while a 64-page passport booklet with ten-year validity has increased from N70,000 to N100,000. Tunji-Ojo explained that this adjustment was necessary to sustain the production and issuance of passports without government subsidies.

Despite concerns from citizens, particularly those seeking to migrate, Tunji-Ojo maintained that the government had no alternative given the current economic circumstances. He concluded by reiterating that the increase was based on a thorough cost-benefit analysis and reflected the economic challenges the country is facing.