The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the federal government to reconsider the passport fees hike, describing it as an undue burden on students and citizens pursuing education and business abroad.
In a press statement issued on Friday, NANS Vice President for External Affairs, Comrade Kenechukwu Aneke, demanded that the government reconsider the hike, which raises the cost of a 32-page passport to N100,000 and a 64-page passport to N200,000 for applicants within Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the new fees, announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday, August 28, will take effect on September 1, 2025. The NIS defended the fee adjustment as necessary to cover rising production costs.
He highlighted that the diaspora fees remain unchanged under the new policy.
Aneke emphasised that this marks the third fee increment in just two years, following previous adjustments in 2023 and August 2024. In the 2024 hike, the 32-page booklet rose from N35,000 to N50,000, while the 64-page version increased from N70,000 to N100,000.
He argued that the repeated increases will limit students’ access to international travel and education opportunities, hindering their ability to “explore the world and compete globally.”
As the vice president for external affairs of NANS, Aneke urged the government to treat the issue as an urgent problem affecting both students and the broader citizenry.
He said, “We urge the Federal Government to review this increment and reassess operational costs to ensure the increment is justified and transparent, reducing the burden on citizens. By making passport services affordable for all citizens, the government can promote accessibility, equality, and national development”.
Credit: The Sun
