The cost of obtaining a Nigerian passport is set to double later next year. In an official announcement, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) revealed that new fees for passport applications will take effect on September 1, 2025.

This change applies only to applications made within Nigeria. The fee for a standard 32-page passport, which is valid for five years, will increase from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000. Meanwhile, the cost of the larger 64-page passport with a ten-year validity will rise from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000.

The NIS stated that the price adjustment is intended to support improved service delivery and maintain the quality and security of the passport document. They emphasized a commitment to making passport services both accessible and efficient.

Notably, the increase does not affect Nigerian citizens applying from abroad. Diaspora applicants will continue to pay the current rates of $150 for the 32-page passport and $230 for the 64-page version.

The announcement has been met with significant public criticism. Many commentators have described the hike as ill-timed and insensitive, given the current economic pressures facing ordinary Nigerians. Critics argue that making such a crucial document more expensive effectively limits international mobility to only those who can afford it, deepening societal divides. Some analysts questioned the justification for such a sharp increase, suggesting it appears to be a revenue-generating move rather than one driven by increased production costs.