New Nigerian Passport Fees Announced: What It Means for You
In an important update for Nigerian citizens, the Federal Government has approved a significant increase in the fees for Nigerian passports, effective from September 1, 2024. This decision was made public through a statement released by Kenneth Udo, spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), via the agency’s X handle.
The revised fees mark a substantial hike from the previous rates. A standard 32-page passport booklet, valid for five years, will now cost N50,000, up from the earlier fee of N35,000. Similarly, the 64-page passport, which has a validity of ten years, will increase from N70,000 to N100,000. The NIS emphasized that this adjustment is intended to uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, ensuring that it meets international standards.
While the NIS acknowledges that this increase may cause inconvenience to applicants, they assure the public of their continued commitment to transparency and high-quality service. The fee adjustment comes at a time when the Nigerian passport has faced scrutiny for its international ranking. Recently, it was ranked 92nd out of 199 on the Henley Passport Index, which assesses passports based on the number of visa-free destinations they allow access to.
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The Henley Passport Index, a leading global passport ranking system, utilizes exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association, enhanced by research from Henley & Partners. This index highlights various factors that influence passport strength, including reciprocity, economic stability, and tourism. Nigeria’s recent decline in ranking has raised concerns among former diplomats and public figures about the country’s international standing and the perceived strength of its passport.
Ogbole Amedu-Ode, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, has commented on the situation, questioning whether the passport rankings of countries like Benin Republic and Ghana reflect similar issues such as asylum seeking or criminal activities. He argues that the strength of a passport is directly related to the ease of international travel it affords, suggesting that Nigeria needs to address these underlying issues.
In response to these concerns, the PUNCH Editorial Board has called for a reversal of negative perceptions associated with Nigeria’s passport. Their recent publication, “Restoring the Dignity of Nigeria’s Passport,” urges the government to improve its international image by tackling issues such as drug trafficking and cybercrime, which may impact the passport’s global reputation.
This fee increase also comes alongside efforts to improve the passport application process in Nigeria. Recent reforms have focused on digitizing the application process and reducing processing times. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has committed to enhancing the efficiency of passport issuance, aiming for significant improvements in the turnaround time for applications.
In summary, while the increase in passport fees aims to bolster the quality and integrity of Nigerian passports, it also reflects broader issues related to the passport’s international ranking and the country’s global image. The NIS and the Nigerian government are striving to address these concerns through ongoing reforms and improvements in service delivery.
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