Forex Rates Behind Passport Fee Increase, Says Minister

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday defended the recent increase in Nigerian passport fees, explaining that the 45 percent rise was driven primarily by the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira. In August, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) announced an upward review of passport fees, prompting widespread reactions from the public.

Under the new fee structure, the cost for a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity increased from N35,000 to N50,000, while the 64-page booklet with 10-year validity rose from N70,000 to N100,000. Many Nigerians expressed dissatisfaction with the fee hike, criticizing the government for making it more expensive for citizens wishing to emigrate, commonly referred to as “japa.”

However, during a media briefing in Abuja to mark his first year in office, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the government could not afford to subsidize passport costs. He also clarified that the fee increase applies only to Nigerians living within the country, with no changes to passport fees for Nigerians abroad.

“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,” the minister explained. “If the government were to subsidize anything, I don’t think it should be passports. The increase is just from N35,000 to N50,000 — only about 45 percent. There has been no increase for Nigerians abroad.”