Minister breaks silence on Passport fee hike, highlights major cause
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday justified the increase in passport fees, stating that the rise was only about 45 percent.
According to him, the increase was driven by the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.
In August, the Nigerian Immigration Service announced an upward review of the Nigerian Standard Passport fees.
Based on the new review, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity, previously charged at N35,000, now costs N50,000, while a 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity, which was N70,000, now costs N100,000.
Many Nigerians have expressed disappointment over the increased fees, accusing the government of making japa more expensive.
However, speaking at a media briefing in Abuja to mark his first year in office, the minister said the government cannot subsidise passport fees for Nigerians.
He also clarified that the price hike did not affect passport fees for Nigerians living outside the country.
Tunji-Ojo said, “The increase in passport fees is a matter of cost-benefit analysis, especially when you consider the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira. If the government were to subsidise anything, I don’t think it should be passports. The increase is just from N35,000 to N50,000 — only about 45 per cent. There has been no increase for Nigerians abroad.”
