By Sola Adeniji | M10News | October 6, 2025
ABUJA, Nigeria — Despite the Nigerian government’s recent announcement fixing new passport fees at ₦100,000 for a 32-page booklet and ₦200,000 for a 64-page booklet, several applicants have alleged that officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are charging as high as ₦130,000 to ₦135,000 — well above the official rate.
The claims, gathered through M10News’ independent investigation, suggest an entrenched network of overcharging and racketeering within passport offices across the country, particularly in Lagos, Delta, and Abuja.
Official Fees vs. Reality on the Ground
According to the NIS official circular, effective 1 September 2025, the approved passport rates are ₦100,000 for a 32-page, 5-year validity booklet, and ₦200,000 for a 64-page, 10-year validity booklet.
(Source: Vanguard)
However, M10News found that the actual amounts paid by applicants often exceed these figures by ₦30,000 or more. Applicants say officers or middlemen inside passport offices routinely demand “processing” or “fast-track” fees, sometimes in cash, without receipts.
“The official website said ₦100,000, but at the Ikoyi office, they told me it’s ₦130,000,” said a Lagos-based applicant who asked not to be named for fear of victimization.
“I paid through a POS operator inside the building and was told the extra ₦30,000 was for faster delivery. I never got a receipt for that.”
Allegations Across States
In Delta State, several applicants said the cost was even higher. One applicant shared a breakdown showing ₦110,000 for the booklet and an extra ₦25,000 tagged as a “correction and processing fee.”
A similar pattern was reported at passport offices in Abeokuta and Abuja, where agents — often working closely with staff — collect payments above the approved rate, promising expedited service or guaranteed issuance within days.
In one case documented by The Guardian Nigeria, an officer allegedly defrauded a citizen of ₦225,000 for a passport renewal and date-of-birth correction.
(Source: Guardian Nigeria)
Systemic Racketeering and Public Outcry
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has described the passport fee hike as “arbitrary and unjustified,” adding that the new costs risk deepening corruption within the NIS.
(Source: Guardian Nigeria)
“When the government raises fees but fails to enforce transparency, officers exploit the confusion,” a SERAP spokesperson told M10News.
“Applicants end up paying bribes just to access basic services.”
An earlier investigation by Naija Media Trends in April 2025 uncovered how officers in several states charged between ₦100,000 and ₦160,000, adding unofficial “fast track” and “commitment” charges.
(Source: Naija Media Trends)
Confusion Over Policy Changes
Part of the problem stems from frequent changes in official fees. In August 2024, passport costs were increased from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000 for a 32-page booklet and from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 for a 64-page booklet. Just a year later, those figures doubled.
(Source: Nairametrics)
This constant adjustment, combined with poor public awareness, creates loopholes exploited by corrupt officials and agents who capitalize on applicants’ confusion.
“People are often unaware of the current official rate,” said an NIS officer who spoke anonymously. “Some officers take advantage of that and quote inflated amounts.”
Weak Oversight and Accountability
Although the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has ordered several internal investigations into passport racketeering since late 2023, enforcement appears inconsistent.
(Source: Vanguard)
Public feedback channels, including NIS complaint portals and helplines, exist but are reportedly ineffective. Applicants told M10News that complaints about overcharging rarely receive follow-up or resolution.
Economic Impact on Citizens
For many low- and middle-income Nigerians, the ₦100,000 official fee already represents a significant burden — roughly equivalent to a month’s wage for some civil servants.
Adding another ₦30,000–₦40,000 in illegal charges makes the passport inaccessible to many, effectively turning it into a luxury document rather than a national right.
“I saved for two months just to apply,” said a university graduate in Ogun State. “Then I was told I’d need to pay ₦135,000 to ‘make it faster’. It’s exploitation.”
Government Response
In a previous statement defending the increase, the Presidency argued that many Nigerians had already been paying above the official fees through bribes or “expedited processing,” and that the adjustment was meant to reflect “realistic market conditions.”
(Source: Guardian Nigeria)
However, the reality appears unchanged — citizens continue to pay more than what the government has approved.
Calls for Transparency
Analysts and civil society groups have urged the Ministry of Interior and NIS to publicly display official fee charts in all passport offices, ensure online-only payments, and sanction any staff caught collecting extra charges.
“There’s no reason anyone should pay more than the approved amount,” said Abuja-based lawyer Ifeanyi Chukwuma.
“Every transaction should be traceable through government payment platforms. Anything outside that is corruption.”
Next Steps
M10News has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the NIS and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), seeking details of complaints, disciplinary actions, and internal investigations related to passport overcharging between 2023 and 2025.
The outcome of those inquiries will determine whether the alleged extortion is an isolated problem or a widespread pattern of corruption across Nigeria’s passport offices.
Conclusion
While the Nigeria Immigration Service has taken steps to digitize passport applications, evidence gathered by M10News suggests that corruption within local offices continues to undermine reform efforts.
Until the government enforces transparency, prosecutes complicit officers, and educates citizens on official payment processes, the Nigerian passport may remain a symbol of systemic exploitation rather than national identity.
Contact: investigations@m10news.com
Follow-up: M10News will continue to monitor the story and publish updates as responses are received from NIS and ICPC.
