The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has outlined the reasons behind the increment of passport fees.
Recall that the NIS in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DCI KT Udo on Wednesday announced the hike, effective September 1.
“Based on the review, 32-page Passport booklet with 5 year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (₦35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00) only; while the 64-page Passport booklet with 10 year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (₦70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (₦100,000.00) only,” the statement partly reads.
However, it noted that the fees remain unchanged in diaspora – and assured Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times.
Meanwhile, the NIS on Saturday cited four (4) major reasons for the increase in price of the Nigerian Standard Passport.
“Improvement in Passport standard and quality, ensuring that the Nigerian Passport continues to maintain the ICAO Standard.
“To address cost of materials and production in view of current realities.
“With the new fees, the NIS will create more Passport front offices and biometrics centres, thereby increasing access to our facilities, decongesting the already existing centres and improving Passport production turnaround time.
“The recent increase in Passport fees would also help the Service actualise its drive for complete domestication of Nigeria Passport booklets,” the Service explained, adding that it is in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build local content.