The cost of a 64-page Nigerian passport which has risen significantly, now priced at N200,000, is nearly triple the country’s minimum wage of N70,000.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed the price hike in August 2025, with the new fees taking effect on 1 September 2025.

According to the NIS, this increase is a necessary measure to enhance service delivery, combat corruption, and expedite the passport application process.

Timeline of passport fee increment

The rise in fees has been a notable trend.

Before September 2024, a standard 32-page passport cost N35,000, while the 64-page version was N70,000.

By September 2024, these prices had almost doubled, reaching N50,000 for the 32-page and N100,000 for the 64-page passport.

The most recent announcement confirmed the striking increase for September 2025.

This surge places a substantial financial strain on many Nigerians, especially given that wages have not kept pace.

A worker earning the new minimum wage of N70,000 would need to set aside more than three months’ salary to save in order to pay for a 64-page passport.

The disparity between rising fees and stagnant incomes is becoming more pronounced, as passport costs have outpaced the growth in the minimum wage, which increased from N30,000 to N70,000 between 2023 and 2024.

This raises concerns about whether obtaining a passport is becoming a luxury reserved for those with higher incomes.

Speaking at a recent event in Abuja, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the new pricing was introduced to tackle long-standing issues, such as delays and extortion, within the passport issuance system.

“Our goal is simple: for every Nigerian to receive their passport within one week of applying. It’s not just about speed, but about providing high-quality passports that represent the integrity of our country,” he stated. (BUSINESS DAY)