The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the recent increase in passport fees announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), describing the move as unlawful, arbitrary, and discriminatory.
In a statement on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, criticized the decision, saying it would deny millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians access to a basic constitutional right.
“Millions of disadvantaged Nigerians cannot realistically afford to pay the increased fees,” the statement read.
“They should not be forced to sacrifice their already limited income just to obtain a passport instead of meeting their essential living needs.”
SERAP maintained that the Interior Minister and the Comptroller General of Immigration acted unlawfully by unilaterally increasing the fees without proper public consultation or consideration for Nigeria’s economic realities.
The group argued that the fee hike contradicts the principles enshrined in Chapters 2 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution, which outline the government’s obligations to ensure the welfare and fundamental rights of citizens.
“The unreasonable and disproportionate increase in passport fees is incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional and human rights obligations,” SERAP added.
It warned that the policy, if allowed to stand, would further deepen the economic hardship facing millions, especially amid rising inflation and unemployment.
Earlier this week, the Nigeria Immigration Service announced that beginning September 1, 2025, the cost of passport applications within Nigeria would be ₦100,000 for a 32-page, 5-year validity passport and ₦200,000 for a 64-page, 10-year validity passport.
The announcement marks the second increase in under a year, following a previous upward review in September 2024.
In response, SERAP called on the Federal Government to immediately reverse the hike and initiate broad-based consultations before implementing any such policy in the future.
