The Federal Government has authorized an upward assessment of the charges for the Nigerian passport efficient from September 1, 2024.
This was disclosed in an announcement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, on the X deal with of the NIS.
The increment, in keeping with the assertion, goals to make sure the standard and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.
The assertion learn, “As a part of its efforts to take care of the standard and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has authorized an upward assessment of the charges for the passport, efficient from September 1, 2024.
“Based on the assessment, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity beforehand charged at N35,000 will now be N50,000 solely; whereas a 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity which was N70,000 will probably be N100,000 solely.
“While the Nigeria Immigration Service regrets any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants, it assures Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times.”
This increment is coming barely two weeks after the Nigerian passport was ranked 92nd out of 199 on the Henley Passport Index, highlighting the challenges its residents face concerning worldwide journey freedom.
The index, which ranks nations primarily based on the variety of locations their passport holders can entry with no prior visa, reveals Nigeria lagging behind many different nations.
According to its web site, the Henley Passport Index, recognised because the authoritative rating of world passports, relies on unique information from the International Air Transport Association and enhanced by Henley & Partners’ analysis staff.
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The fall or enchancment in rating outcomes stems from a number of components corresponding to reciprocity, financial and sociopolitical stability, and tourism.
This latest decline within the passport rating of West Africa’s most populous nation has drawn concerns from a number of quarters, together with former Nigerian envoys.
Reacting to this, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, mentioned, “Countries just like the Benin Republic and Ghana; do their residents journey overseas to hunt asylum?
“Do they indulge in criminal activities such as human and drug trafficking, etc.? If they do, there will be such an equal ranking. The strength of a passport shows the countries you can visit. So, Nigeria has to do a lot of housekeeping.”
Meanwhile, in its publication on August 8, 2024, titled, ‘Restoring the dignity of Nigeria’s passport,’ PUNCH Editorial Board advised the Nigerian authorities to “reverse negative perceptions, including its profile as a major entry point for drug traffickers and the prevalence of cybercrime,” amongst others.