Daniel Otera
The Federal Government’s recent hike in Nigerian passport fees, effective September 1, 2025, has ignited widespread outrage across the North Central region. The new fees N100,000 for a 32-page, 5-year passport and N200,000 for a 64-page, 10-year passport have left many residents frustrated, with many claiming the increase is beyond their means. This marks the second hike in 2025, following a similar increase earlier in the year. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) insists the hike is necessary to maintain the quality of the passport and align it with global security standards. However, for many in the North Central region, already struggling with rising inflation and unemployment, the new fees seem like an insurmountable burden.
Effective from September 1, 2025, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will implement new passport fees. The cost for a 32-page, 5-year passport will increase to N100,000, up from N50,000, while a 64-page, 10-year passport will now cost N200,000, double the previous fee of N100,000. This represents the second fee hike within a year, following last year’s increase from N35,000 to N50,000 for the 32-page passport, and from N70,000 to N100,000 for the 64-page version. These new fees apply to passport applications processed within Nigeria. The changes for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unaffected, with fees remaining at $150 for the 32-page, 5-year passport and $230 for the 64-page, 10-year passport.
A spokesman for the NIS, A.S. Akinlabi, emphasized that the review, which only affects passport applications within Nigeria, aims to ensure the “quality and integrity” of the Nigerian Standard Passport. The fee for Nigerians in the diaspora remains unchanged, with $150 for a 32-page passport and $230 for a 64-page passport.
Akinlabi also explained that the hike was driven by rising production costs and the goal of boosting local manufacturing of passport materials. The government hopes to reduce reliance on imports, speed up processing times, and even open more centers in rural areas to make passport applications more accessible.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, Abubakar Aliyu voiced the concerns of many when he described the new fees as prohibitive. “See, this new price for the passport is just too much now. N100,000 for a five-year passport? That’s not a small amount,” he said. Aliyu, a small-scale trader, highlighted the struggles of low-income earners who already found the previous fees challenging. “I’m wondering how people in the low-income bracket will manage with this. I’ve been hearing people around here complain that even the old price was hard to pay, and now this one? Some of us are still trying to survive with the rising costs of food, let alone this passport fee.”
Aliyu’s concerns are supported by the challenging economic conditions in Nigeria. According to the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 21.88% as of July 2025, showing a slight decrease from the previous month. However, food inflation remains a significant issue, with the rate currently at 11.52% year-on-year. This persistent inflation is deeply felt by households across Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central region.
In addition to inflation, Nigeria’s unemployment rate remains high, with the national rate at 5.0% as of the third quarter of 2023. Youth unemployment is especially concerning, with 8.6% of individuals aged 15 to 24 being unemployed. Moreover, underemployment is widespread, with 12.3% of Nigerians working fewer than 40 hours per week but available to work more.
“This government really needs to think about its people more. Not everyone can afford N100,000 for a passport,” Aliyu added.
In Jos, Plateau State, Ruth Dogo, a local entrepreneur, expressed exhaustion with the constant rise in costs. “I swear, this passport thing don dey tire me,” she said. “I remember when I first got mine years ago, the price was more affordable. Now, N200,000 for a 10-year passport? It’s just too much, no matter how you look at it.” Dogo, who occasionally travels to neighboring countries for her small-scale business, fears the new fees will stifle opportunities for many in her community. “Many people here in Jos who travel for business or want to visit family abroad will find it difficult. We have enough problems in Nigeria without the government making it even harder to live.”
Plateau State, like many parts of Nigeria, faces significant economic challenges, primarily driven by its reliance on agriculture and small-scale trade. However, the state’s economy has been severely affected by ongoing insecurity, rising input costs, and infrastructural deficits. Agriculture, the backbone of Plateau’s economy, has been particularly impacted by farmer-herder conflicts, which have disrupted farming activities and led to a decrease in food production. According to a 2024 study by Plateau State University Bokkos, insecurity has displaced many farmers, causing widespread disruption in agricultural practices and threatening food security in the region.
A 2025 World Bank report on Nigeria’s economy confirms the vulnerability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up a significant portion of the state’s informal economy. SMEs in Plateau and other states in the North-Central region are grappling with high operational costs, limited access to finance, and a lack of modern infrastructure. These challenges have resulted in very slim profit margins, preventing most businesses from absorbing additional financial pressures like the recent increase in passport fees.
This economic environment makes it particularly difficult for small business owners and farmers in Plateau to keep up with new financial demands, such as the recent hike in Nigerian passport fees. With the majority of small businesses struggling to break even, the increased cost of obtaining essential documents like passports adds another layer of hardship to an already difficult situation.
In Lokoja, Kogi State, Hassan Adamu, an artisan, questioned the timing of the fee increment. “To be honest, I don’t get it. Why now? Why this sudden hike?” he asked. “Things are already so difficult for people, especially in places like Lokoja where people struggle to make ends meet.” Adamu pointed out that the new fees could deter people from pursuing opportunities abroad, such as work or education. “Raising the price for passport applications just adds to the pressure. Even though some people might want to travel or need to for work, this new fee is way out of reach for many of us.”
Kogi State continues to face significant economic challenges, with a multidimensional poverty rate of 39.0%, as reported in the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index by the NBS. This figure reflects the widespread deprivation experienced by many residents, not just in terms of income, but also in education, healthcare, and living standards. A large portion of the population in Kogi lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day, making it difficult for many to meet their basic needs.
In light of this, the recent increase in passport application fees set at N100,000 for a 32-page, 5-year passport poses a significant financial burden on Kogi residents. For many households, this new fee represents a substantial portion of their income, making the cost of obtaining a passport unaffordable.
Bola Yusuf, a schoolteacher in Niger State, described the fee hike as “one thing too many.” She said, “I’m sorry, but this is just one thing too many. I understand that the passport needs to be of a high standard and all, but come on N100,000 for a 32-page passport? That’s a lot of money for a lot of people.” For Yusuf, the increase comes at a time when families are already grappling with rising costs of essentials like food and transportation. “In Minna, some of us barely have enough money to feed our families, talk less of paying this kind of fee just for a passport.”
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) survey for 2022 revealed that a significant portion of the population lives under poverty conditions, with 63% of Nigerians facing deprivations in key areas such as education, healthcare, and living standards. While specific data for Niger State was not directly provided, the state’s socio-economic challenges reflect a similar trend. In fact, the North-Central region, which includes Niger State, is known to have one of the highest poverty rates in the country.
The recent increase in passport application fees, which now stands at N100,000 for a 32-page, 5-year passport, adds a layer of difficulty for the residents of Niger State, many of whom are already struggling to meet basic needs. This hike in fees could create a substantial barrier to international travel, whether for business, education, or family reunification for the many individuals and families already facing economic hardship. For these residents, the increased cost of obtaining a passport could be an insurmountable obstacle, limiting their ability to access opportunities that could improve their lives.
In Benue State, Grace Akpa, a nurse, expressed dismay at the government’s decision. “Look, I’m not saying that the passport shouldn’t be a high-quality document, but come on, the price is just too steep,” she said. “People like me, we depend on passports for work or to travel for important matters, but these prices are going to make that impossible for so many of us.” Akpa, who has been considering opportunities to work abroad due to limited prospects in Nigeria, fears the fee hike will trap many in economic hardship. “It’s hard enough for people to get by in places like Benue State with the economy the way it is, and now this fee hike? They just don’t get it.”
Benue State, predominantly an agricultural hub in Nigeria, has been severely impacted by ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders. These conflicts have disrupted farming activities, leading to a sharp decline in agricultural productivity, which is the backbone of the state’s economy. With farmland being destroyed and livelihoods lost, many households in Benue are facing reduced income and rising poverty levels. These disruptions have not only led to a food security crisis but have also compounded the economic challenges faced by the state.
According to the 2023 report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), economic migration has become a key coping mechanism for many in Benue. As farmers and other residents lose their means of livelihood due to the escalating conflicts, many are forced to migrate in search of better economic opportunities. Migration provides an avenue for survival, allowing individuals and families to seek work in other regions or even abroad. However, the recent increase in fees for passports and other travel-related services may limit access to this vital option for many residents. With passport application fees now set at N100,000 for a 32-page passport and N200,000 for a 64-page passport, it is feared that this added financial burden could restrict the ability of the affected population to migrate and alleviate their economic hardships.
This development raises significant concerns about the future of economic migration as a survival strategy in Benue. If the cost of obtaining travel documents continues to rise, many individuals in the state may find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty, with limited opportunities for economic advancement both within the state and beyond. As such, the new passport fee hikes may have unintended consequences for a state already grappling with the effects of conflict and economic dislocation.
The NIS has defended the fee hike, with A.S. Akinlabi stated, “The increment aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.”
However, for residents of the North Central region, the increase feels like a disconnect from their daily realities.