Damaged Nigerian Passport — Replacement Steps

A damaged Nigerian passport is one whose physical condition prevents normal use at a border. The Nigeria Immigration Service does not publish a single line-by-line spec, but in practice the bar is:

• Water damage affecting the laminate of the biodata page or warping any page bearing a visa.
• Ink staining on the data page or any page with an entry/exit stamp.
• Tears or detached pages, particularly the data page or pages bearing a current visa.
• Burn, fire, or scorch damage to any part of the booklet.
• Chip or laminate damage, including peeling of the data page or any sign of tampering.
• Washing-machine accidents, which usually combine water damage, ink running, and laminate peeling.

Faded edges, scuffed cover corners, and general wear from frequent travel are not enough. The test is functional — does the passport still read clearly to a human officer and to electronic gates? If you are unsure, take it to a passport office or to your nearest Nigerian mission; they will tell you whether to replace it.

The two routes share the same online portal but use different inputs and produce different paperwork.

If you are not sure whether your case counts as lost or damaged — for example, the passport survived a fire but is largely intact — apply on the damaged route with the booklet in hand. The officer at the appointment will reclassify if needed.

1. Do not discard the booklet. Even if it looks unsalvageable, NIS needs it to confirm identity and to retire the previous file. A discarded passport is treated as a lost passport, which moves you onto the slower, more paperwork-heavy route.
2. Stabilise the physical damage. Air-dry a wet booklet flat with pages separated. Do not iron it, do not use a hairdryer, do not microwave it. If pages are detaching, slide the booklet into a clear plastic sleeve to prevent further loss.
3. Photograph the data page. Capture a clear photograph or scan of the data page, the chip area, and any page bearing a current visa, before any further deterioration.
4. Write the explanation of damage. A short signed letter — three or four sentences. Where the damage happened, when, what caused it. Keep it factual. This becomes the formal explanation NIS files with your replacement application.
5. List the visas in the booklet. Note the country, type, and validity dates of every live visa. You will need this list to apply for visa replacements separately.
6. Start the replacement on immigration.gov.ng. Choose "Apply for Renewal/Re-issue Passport" and select the damaged route.

1. 1
   Gather documents and stabilise the bookletDamaged passport in a clear sleeve, written explanation, NIN, NPC certificate, LG letter, photos.
2. 2
   Start the application on immigration.gov.ngChoose 'Apply for Renewal/Re-issue Passport', then select the damaged-passport option. Use the same biographical details as the damaged booklet.
3. 3
   Upload scans and pay on the portalPay by Remita or card. Print the payment receipt before closing the tab.
4. 4
   Book biometric enrolmentPick a centre and date. Diaspora applicants book directly with their high commission or embassy.
5. 5
   Attend the appointmentBring the damaged passport, the written explanation, and originals of every uploaded document. Officers handle the booklet carefully and capture biometrics.
6. 6
   Track and collectRe-issue follows the 21-day NIS Service Level Agreement after enrolment. Collect with the acknowledgement slip; the damaged booklet is surrendered or returned cancelled.

The new booklet itself is priced at the standard re-issue rate. There is no separate published penalty for damage inside Nigeria.

• Inside Nigeria — ₦100,000 for the 32-page 5-year, ₦200,000 for the 64-page 10-year. No surcharge for damage.
• Diaspora missions apply the NIS USD anchor of $150 / $230 plus their local administrative fee. The Embassy of Nigeria in Sweden charges a separate damaged-passport administrative fee of 1,000 SEK. US consulates do not list a published damaged-passport surcharge (the $350–$370 penalty applies specifically to lost or stolen cases). Missions sometimes publish slightly different rates from the NIS USD anchor; check the specific mission's page before paying.
• Emergency travel — the Nigerian Temporary Passport or older ETC at your mission is priced separately. See emergency travel certificate for the route.

Pay only through the portal or by money order or postal order to the named mission. There is no fast-track channel anyone outside NIS can sell you.

The 21-day SLA inside Nigeria, and the longer diaspora windows, will not move for an urgent traveller. Two real options:

• Apply at a lower-volume centre. Smaller state passport offices in Nigeria, and smaller missions abroad, sometimes turn re-issues around faster than the published SLA in practice. Call before you book to ask about current waiting times.
• Apply for a Nigerian Temporary Passport at your nearest mission abroad. The NTP is an ICAO-compliant 4-page e-passport valid for 30 days, one journey only, retrieved at the Nigerian port of entry. It does not replace your standard passport; you still need the re-issue when you are back home. See emergency travel certificate for who qualifies.

If the damage is mild and the data page is fully readable, some airlines and border officers will accept the booklet for one trip provided you have evidence that a re-issue is in progress (the NIS application receipt). This is at the discretion of the carrier and the destination country; do not rely on it for an important journey.