Nigerians decries hike in fees of International Passports to N50k,N100k
The Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the Nigerian passport effective from September 1, 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, on the X handle of the NIS.
The increment aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, Udo said.
“As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the passport, effective from September 1, 2024.
“Based on the review, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity previously charged at N35,000 will now be N50,000 only; while a 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity which was N70,000 will be N100,000,” the statement read.
The NIS said though it regretted “any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants,” it assured Nigerians of “unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times.”
Meanwhile,Nigerians across social media platforms such as X, Facebook and Instagram, have expressed disappointment at the recently increased fees for Nigerian Standard Passport.
Part of the concerns raised by some of the social media users range from corruption of some NIS officials who charge extra, unofficial fees; to the economic hardship in the country, inflation, insensitivity of the government to the masses, among others.
On X.com, Callme_Wéalth EndSars, tweeting as #Lexyzdoo, wrote, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages.”
A Facebook user, Taiwo Olaoye, 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.”
An X user, Adewale ‘Damilare, tweeting as #dammygtnet, said, “Una dun increase money for passport issuance again. You guys are testing our patience!”
Another tweep, Hemjay of Life, with the username #MuritalaMujeebA, tweeted, “And it is not as if your useless officers will not still collect bribe at point of biometrics oo.”
An X user, E.J, tweeting as #Enwagboso, asked the FG to delay the effective date of the new passport fees to 2025.
He wrote, “The 10-day notice for the passport price increase is an example of the government’s lack of empathy and consideration for its citizens. #officialABAT and #nigimmigration should know this. I recommend reviewing the pricing strategy and considering a reversal or, at the very least, a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.”
A Facebook user, Celestine Uzodike wrote, “Every agency is in a hurry to extort the masses at this crucial period. Very insensitive Govt.”
Another Facebook user, Emecheta David, queried, “So to maintain the integrity of the passport, you’ll increase the price? Which integrity does the Nigerian passport possess that you are maintaining?”
An Instagram user, #l_ayk_an, wrote, “Making japa expensive but yet making Nigeria worse and unlivable.”
Another user, identified as #officialcollinzo, said, “Very soon to breath for this Nigeria go be 1k per 1hr.”
According to the Henley Passport Index, the Nigerian passport was ranked 92nd out of 199 passports, highlighting the challenges its citizens face regarding international travel freedom.
