SERAP slams FG over passport fee hike, calls it unlawful
Story by Jessica Mbamah
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the Federal Government to urgently reverse the new passport fees announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service, describing the increase as arbitrary, unlawful, and discriminatory against poor Nigerians.
Recall NIS had disclosed that, effective September 1, 2025, applications within Nigeria would cost ₦100,000 for the 32-page, five-year validity passport and ₦200,000 for the 64-page, 10-year validity passport.
The hike comes less than a year after a similar upward review in September 2024.
However, in a letter obtained by PUNCH Online on Sunday, dated August 30, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the decision would amount to a denial of access to passports for millions of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.
“Millions of disadvantaged Nigerians cannot realistically afford to pay the increased fees.
“These Nigerians should not be forced to spend their limited and grossly inadequate income to pay the increased fees instead of spending it on their basic living needs,” the group said.
READ ALSO: SERAP drags NNPCL to court over ‘₦500bn missing oil funds’
It noted that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, failed to balance the need for revenue with citizens’ rights.
“The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the NIS acted unlawfully when they arbitrarily increased the passport fees.
“The unreasonable and disproportionate increase in passport fees is incompatible with the provisions of chapters 2 and 4 of the Nigerian Constitution covering fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy and fundamental rights,” SERAP said.
According to the organisation, “Nigerians who cannot afford to pay the excessive fees would be denied the effective enjoyment of their citizenship rights conferred by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which the country is a state party.”
READ ALSO: Withdraw bill seeking to jail, fine Nigerians for not voting – SERAP urges NASS
It further cautioned that the unlawful increase in passport fees at a time the country is facing economic and financial crises would contribute further to the impoverishment of the population.
SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to comply with its demand or face legal action.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
