The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, to immediately reverse the recent passport fee increase, which it deems “arbitrary, unlawful, and excessive.”
The NIS announced that, effective September 1, 2025, a 32-page, five-year validity passport will cost N100,000, and a 64-page, 10-year validity passport will cost N200,000—marking the second fee hike in two years following a similar increase on September 1, 2024.
In a letter dated August 30, 2025, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization argued that the steep fees disproportionately affect economically vulnerable Nigerians, restricting their access to passports and other citizenship rights.
SERAP stressed that the Minister and NIS must adhere to the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations, balancing fee structures with citizens’ rights to affordability and access.
Conversely, the Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) supported the fee hike, urging the government to redirect passport subsidy funds to improve conditions for inmates in Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS) facilities and procure ammunition for the NIS.
In a statement by NDRA National Chairman Bright Ngolo, the group commended the Ministry of Interior for clearing over N25 billion in passport importation debts, arguing that subsidizing dollar-denominated passports is economically unsustainable.
Ngolo emphasized that reallocating these funds could enhance inmate welfare and strengthen immigration operations.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com