The City Reporters
Mr. David Shikfu Parradang mni
The Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, has reviewed the cost of Nigeria International Passport, effective from August 1, 2014, as well as, introduced a 64-page passport that will be used alongside the 32-page presently being used.
The new passport will be flagged off by President Goodluck Jonathan on July 31, and presented to the general public the following day being August 1, 2014.
The Comptroller General, NIS, David Shikfu Parradang, who made this known to newsmen in Lagos, weekend said the changes were very necessary and cost effective with due consideration for children and senior citizens.
According to him, a 64-page passport, will go for N20, 000, while applicants for 32-page passport but below the age of 18, will pay N8, 750 while those between 18 to 60 years will pay N15, 000. Applicants above 60 years applying for a 32-page passport will pay N8, 750.
Parradang added that additional N20,000 will be paid for change of data/loss of passport, while change of name as a result of marriage, divorce or deceased spouse, will cost N8, 750. Change of data on request also will be done at the cost of N30, 000.
He said in order to make the process easier, the service has concluded arrangements to open more offices across the country.
He also expressed concern over the existence of over 1,400 illegal borders across the country adding that the service has commenced the biometric registration of foreigners in the country.
He however expressed worry over the abuse of diplomatic passport, saying the Immigration Service is fine-tuning a plan, whereby issuance of such passport would be tied to expiration of tenure of office or when removed from such office and not for life.
“We are really considering the option. What we have today is not what it was meant to be. The option will be that once you leave office or retire, you will no longer be entitled to it”, he said.
