Minister justifies passport fee hike

Minister Tunji-Ojo defends 45% increase in Nigerian passport fees, attributing it to exchange rate fluctuations, amidst public outcry.

 

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, justifies the 45% increase in Nigerian passport fees due to exchange rate fluctuations.

On Friday, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, defended the recent increase in passport fees, stating that the rise is approximately 45% and primarily driven by the fluctuating exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.

 

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In August, the Nigerian Immigration Service announced an upward review of the fees for the Nigerian Standard Passport.

Under the new pricing structure, the cost of a 32-page passport with five-year validity has increased from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page passport with ten-year validity now costs N100,000, up from N70,000.

The fee hike has drawn criticism from many Nigerians, who argue that the government is making it increasingly difficult for citizens to travel abroad—a phenomenon popularly referred to as “japa.”

During a media briefing in Abuja to commemorate his first year in office, Tunji-Ojo explained that the government cannot afford to subsidise passport fees.

He also highlighted that the price increase does not affect passport fees for Nigerians living outside the country.

“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,” he stated. “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.”