Nigerians have criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government over the approved upward review of the fees for the Nigerian passport effective from September 1, 2024.
Chronicle NG reports that the upward review of the fees for the passport 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, according to the statement, aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport.
The statement partly read, “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 only.”
Reacting to the news of the increment, Nigerians berated the Tinubu-led federal government for what many described as “milking the citizens dry.”
This publication highlights below some of the reactions of Nigerians to the news.
E.J. Enwagboso, “The 10-day notice for the passport price increase is an example of the government’s lack of empathy and consideration for its citizens. Tinubu and the Nigerian Immigration 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.”
Olu, “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.”
Lurd Ginut, “Very soon, they will charge us for the air we breathe, for the blood running through our veins. It’s clear Tinubu is here to make life unbearable for the citizens, because every department is only interested in making money for the federal government.”
Ada Ojilibeka, “The new new minimum wage still hasn’t taken effect, but the speed at which this will take effect will let you know these people are not stupid one single bit. They only turn clueless when it comes to empowering Nigerians or keeping their promises.”
Eze, “Tinubu only knows IGR. He sees every ministry and agency as revenue houses. He will milk Nigerians through the ministries and agencies. Tax and more taxes.”
Feranmii, “Are they trying to rob us off our hard-earned money and rights now? They just want to squeeze every little penny out of the citizens of the country despite all the hardship, discord, and strife.”
Amin Snoussi, “You’re increasing the cost of obtaining international passports at a time when citizens are barely able to afford two square meals on a daily basis?
“What about those who already submitted passport renewals and change of data applications that are yet to be produced? Have you guys cleared the whole deck in all states but most especially at N.I.S. Headquarters before implementing this increase when it comes to the cost of passports?
“What about improving N.I.S. online customer care, making it more efficient and effective to obtain passports on time?”
Murphy, “This is ridiculous and wicked. How can you increase the amount of passport just like that with just notice of 10 days? Our government doesn’t care about its citizens welfare; they make things difficult for us every day. What a shameless approach and disgraceful government.”
Larwill Olanre, “What is wrong with all these government parastatals? Why is corruption you people’s surname? International passport N50,OO online while N100,OO offline. What a shame. Tinubu, can you come out and explain to Nigerians what to do with upward review, not downward review?”
Demmy Folarin, “So this increment will take effect in 10 days, but implementation of the minimum wage takes several months? Implementation of reduced tax on importation of food materials takes months? We are not ready for progress in this nation.”
