The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) claims the recently announced rise in international passport fees is intended to improve quality, speed up the procedure, and increase access. Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, NIS Comptroller in Adamawa, announced this on Monday in Yola during the launch of an effort to raise awareness among the state’s residents about the fee rise.
Mohammed announced that beginning September 1, applicants in Nigeria will pay ₦50,000 for a 32-page passport booklet with five years of validity, up from the previous ₦35,000 charge. The 64-page passport booklet, valid for 10 years, will cost ₦100,000, up from ₦70,000. However, Mohammed clarified that the upward evaluation will have no effect on applicants from other countries.
Justifying the government’s action, the Comptroller stated: “This is a new improved passport with higher durability and quality, in line with international standards. “It has fingerprints and with that, it is difficult to be faked or tampered with, unlike the old one” , he commented. He recommended those seeking to get or renew their passports to apply online or visit NIS offices.
Mohammed warned them against sponsoring agents in order to prevent being deceived. He urged religious leaders to inform their followers about the decision, noting that any applicants who applied before the deadline would be charged the previous rate.
He said the program would also raise awareness in Local Government Areas, beginning with Mubi. Mr Joel Manzo and Alhaji Aliyu Iya, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Adamawa Muslim Council, respectively, thanked NIS for the enlightenment and promised to pass on the word to their followers. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NIS has expanded its awareness campaign to car parks and key avenues in the state capital.
