Nigeria’s Interior Minister Defends 45% Hike in Passport Fees, Citing Exchange Rate Pressures
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has justified the recent 45% hike in passport fees, attributing the increase to the fluctuating exchange rate between the naira and the dollar. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja to mark his first year in office, the minister explained that the government could no longer afford to subsidize the cost of passports.
The Nigerian Immigration Service announced the revised fees in August, raising the cost of a 32-page passport with five-year validity from N35,000 to N50,000. Similarly, the price of a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity has surged from N70,000 to N100,000.
While many Nigerians have voiced their frustration over the new fees, accusing the government of making it harder for citizens to pursue opportunities abroad, a movement commonly referred to as “japa”, Tunji-Ojo dismissed the criticism. He stressed that the increase was unavoidable given the current economic situation and exchange rate volatility.
“This is a matter of cost-benefit analysis when you look at the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira,” the minister explained. “Subsidizing passport fees is not something the government can prioritize right now. The increase from N35,000 to N50,000 is about 45%, and importantly, there has been no change for Nigerians living abroad.”
The minister’s comments come as Nigerians face growing economic challenges, with the higher passport fees adding to the burden for those hoping to travel or emigrate. Despite the backlash, Tunji-Ojo maintained that the fee adjustment was necessary under the current economic climate.
