Nigeria’s Passport Fees Increase Sparks Outrage among Citizens
The Nigerian government has recently increased the fees for standard passports, sparking widespread discontent among citizens. The new fees, which took effect from September 1, 2024, will cost N50,000 for a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity, up from the previous N35,000. A 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity will now cost N100,000, a N30,000 increase from the previous N70,000.
The increase has been met with criticism from many social media users, who argue that the government is insensitive to the economic hardships faced by citizens. On X.com, Callme_Wéalth EndSars tweeted, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages.” Taiwo Olaoye, a Facebook user, stated, “Without the hiked-up fees, you still have to pay an arm and a leg as bribery for them to do their jobs. That’s why my passport will forever remain expired. It will end up being expired in five years anyway.”
Asiwaju Arowopoko, a tweep, tweeted, “I can bet that some people paid more to get their passports done expressly. If it’s 50k and 100k for 32 and 64 pages respectively, and we will get it done seamlessly without paying a bribe or extra cost, then it’s ok.” Shedrach Onyekonwu, a Facebook user, criticized the short notice given for the implementation of the new fees, saying, “It takes just a publication of this nature to announce an upward review of fees to be implemented in 10 days but takes endless meetings to sign new minimum wage with no date in sight for its implementation.”
CitizenOlu, a tweep, wrote, “What kind of rubbish is this policy? In this economy with a 70k minimum wage, a passport will now cost 50,000! This is a very deliberate policy that shows some elites in power truly must be living in a different reality!” Adewale ‘Damilare, an X user, tweeted, “Una dun increase money for passport issuance again. You guys are testing our patience!”
The Nigerian passport was ranked 92nd out of 199 passports by the Henley Passport Index, highlighting the challenges its citizens face regarding international travel freedom. The government’s decision to increase passport fees has been met with widespread discontent, with many calling for a review of the pricing strategy or a delay in the effective date of the new fees.
