Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government to immediately reverse the recent passport fee increase announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), labeling it as unjust and harmful to vulnerable citizens.
In a statement released on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, condemned the hike as “arbitrary, unlawful, and discriminatory,” arguing it disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged Nigerians.
“The fee increase effectively denies millions of poor Nigerians access to passports,” Oluwadare stated, emphasizing that “those with limited means should not be forced to choose between basic necessities and exorbitant passport costs.”
SERAP highlighted that the new fees—N100,000 for a 32-page, five-year passport and N200,000 for a 64-page, ten-year passport, effective from September 1, 2025—violate constitutional protections and international human rights obligations.
According to SERAP, the fee hike undermines the rights guaranteed under Chapters 2 and 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, which address fundamental objectives and citizens’ rights.
“The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS have acted unlawfully by imposing these unreasonable fees,” the group asserted, warning that the policy exacerbates poverty amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges.
This marks the second passport fee increase in less than a year, following a similar adjustment in September 2024.
SERAP urged the government to reconsider the policy to prevent further economic strain on citizens and ensure equitable access to essential services.
