Nigerians have condemned the newly approved fees payable for the Nigerian passport as announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service via its X handle @nigimmigration on Wednesday evening.
In a tweet by NIS Public Relations Officer DCI KT Udo, the Federal Government approved the upward review of the application fee for the green passport.
Now, a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity, which previously cost 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 new price regime begins in less than a fortnight on September 1, the tweet stated.
The new application fees and the date of commencement have attracted reactions from Nigerians. See the reactions to the tweet:
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 obviously know this.
I recommend reviewing the pricing strategy and considering a reversal or, at the…
— E.J. (@Enwagboso) August 21, 2024
What kind of rubbish is this policy? In this economy with 70k min 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!
💥🇳🇬🙏
— CitizenOlu (@jagabanolu) August 21, 2024
The President without conscience
— Tonye Barcanista (@TonyeBarcanista) August 21, 2024
Just 10 days notice ? Are we really okay in this nation called 🇳🇬?
Well I blame the citizens, we are now tooth pick.
— Captain Tango 👨🏾✈️⚓️ (@Capolutiti) August 21, 2024
From 70k to 100k…
Ha ba, is too much.30k whopping sum added, wahala.
Just when I want to renew😣— JessyJackson Akpesiri (@Jessica_Egbedi) August 21, 2024
Oh, three gbosa for Nigeria Immigration!!!
From 25 to 35 to 50, all within a year. You’ve truly outdone yourselves this time!
Let’s all give a round of applause for this stellar move in the middle of an economic crisis.
You’re doing so well. I mean, who needs to consider the…
— 🏘️IamEri’Oluwa🇳🇬 (@IamEriOluwa) August 21, 2024
Passport that should be free for citizens. What exactly are we benefiting from Nigeria’s purse?
— El Bruzieee (@bruzieee) August 21, 2024
Somebody has to pay for all that lavish lifestyle. pic.twitter.com/1MvSiCOqnr
— olasupo jakes (@JakesOlasupo) August 21, 2024
Una dun increase money for passport issuance again. You guys are testing our patience!
— Adewale ‘Damilare (@dammygtnet) August 21, 2024
Why not use the billions the Customs is generating for this? Have we not suffered enough?
— Doctuche (@lidocaine_v2) August 21, 2024
Anything to make it harder for Nigerians to leave 😂😂😂
It’s giving “we die here” 😂
— Courtney (@CuriousCourtnie) August 21, 2024
Na so so hardship news this tulubu government dey give the poor masses.
Very yeye government.
— Cult Wahala Naija (@CultWahalaNaija) August 21, 2024
Creating a good governance would have saved us this mess
— ÓLÀdeyforyou (@trendwithola) August 21, 2024
Very soon, una go dey charge us for the Air we breathe, for the blood running thru our veins.. It’s clear tinubu is here to make life unbearable for the citizens, cos every department is only interested in making money for the federal government
— lurd Ginut (@LurdGinut) August 21, 2024
Efeeeku pic.twitter.com/Islelm4njU
— smh (@smh_181) August 21, 2024
Those in support also stated why:
I can bet that, some people paid more to get their passport done expressly. If it’s 50 and 100k for 32 and 64 pages respectively and we will get it done seamlessly without paying bribe or extra cost then it’s ok.
— Asiwaju Arowopoko ⚓️ (@souqueasnaf) August 21, 2024
If this will remove the corruption from the process then it makes sense since people are already paying over 100k for the 32 pages.
This is a common knowledge but trust people to act obtuse.
The only issue I have with this is the notice period. I think at least 3 months is…
— Akorede Omo Oba(Phil., MHRM)🇳🇬🏴 (@Kayloaded1) August 21, 2024
Nigerian passport costlier than U.S., UK’s
It costs more in the Diaspora to get Nigerian passport than American or British passport. It is $242 which is way higher than what US and UK charge for their passport. Meanwhile, you have to wait for six months to get a renewal.
— Adeleke (@Laykay0808) August 22, 2024
We in the diaspora still waiting to get our Nigerian Passports. Not sure why it is taking so long to get our stuff after biometrics at the Nigerian House, NY, it has been over 2months waiting🙄🙄🙄🙄. Nobody responds to email or phone calls, not sure what the issue is but we…
— King A (@OG_branco) August 21, 2024
Some deride the process:
50k official price for 32pgs (remember to keep an extra 20k to 30k while going. Just in case you need to print anything).
100k official price for 64pgs (keep extra 15k to 50k for miscellaneous).
These are just incase there is much traffic, so you fit book another Uber or Bolt.
— Peter Obi’s unixorn🦄 (@__Kuizin) August 22, 2024
Tinubu might end up charging Nigerians 500k for birth certificate🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/4id5cDJ59Y
— 🦋🦋🦋Arya Stark is OBIdient 🦋🦋🦋💕 (@cute_pecky) August 22, 2024
More funds needs to be raised for government excesses. Nigerians never see anyfin 😂
— Royalty Uso👑 (@royaltyuso) August 22, 2024
When will there be upward review of basic amenities, good road and power cos nobody go japa if country good.
— Yungchief (@yungchief88) August 21, 2024
