Immigration Service Justifies Passport Fee Hike
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that the recent increase in passport fees will improve the quality of passports, speed up the processing time, and enhance accessibility.
Ibrahim Mohammed, the NIS comptroller in Adamawa, made this statement on Monday in Yola during the launch of an awareness campaign to inform residents of the state about the fee hike.
Mr. Mohammed explained that, starting from September 1, applicants within Nigeria will be required to pay ₦50,000 for a 32-page passport booklet valid for five years, up from the previous fee of ₦35,000. Additionally, the cost for a 64-page passport booklet with a ten-year validity will rise to ₦100,000, compared to the earlier fee of ₦70,000.
However, he clarified that this fee increase will not affect applicants residing abroad.
Defending the government’s decision, Mr. Mohammed stated, “This is a new, enhanced passport with improved durability and quality that meets international standards.” He further emphasized that the inclusion of fingerprints in the new passports makes them more secure against forgery and tampering, unlike the previous versions.
He advised those planning to obtain or renew their passports to apply online or visit NIS offices, warning against the use of unauthorized agents to avoid fraud.
Mr. Mohammed also encouraged religious leaders to educate their communities about the changes, noting that applicants who apply before the September 1 deadline will still be charged the old rates.
He mentioned that the awareness campaign would be extended to local government areas, starting with Mubi.
Representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim Council in Adamawa, Joel Manzo and Aliyu Iya, respectively, expressed their gratitude to the NIS for its efforts to inform the public.
(NAN)
