Netizens Decry Hike in Nigerian Passport Fees Amidst Economic Hardship

Social media platforms have erupted with widespread disappointment following the Federal Government's recent decision to increase the fees for Nigerian Standard Passports. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), responsible for issuing passports, announced on Wednesday that the price hike was necessary to maintain the quality and integrity of the passports. Effective from September 1, 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity will rise from N35,000 to N50,000. Additionally, the fee for a 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity will increase from N70,000 to N100,000. This sudden hike has sparked outrage among Nigerians, who are grappling with the ongoing economic challenges, inflation, and what many see as the government's insensitivity to the plight of the masses. On X (formerly Twitter), a user named Callme_Wéalth, tweeting as #Lexyzdoo, highlighted the disparity between online and offline fees, stating, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages.” This sentiment was echoed by others who expressed frustration with the extra unofficial fees often demanded by NIS officials.

Facebook user Taiwo Olaoye shared his frustration, commenting, “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.” On X, Asiwaju Arowopoko, tweeting as #souqueasnaf, pointed out the likelihood of some people paying more to expedite their passport processing. He wrote, “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.” The timing of the fee increase has also been criticized, with many comparing it to the lengthy delays in implementing the national minimum wage. Facebook user Shedrach Onyekonwu criticized the government’s swift action on the passport fee hike, stating, “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.” On X, CitizenOlu, tweeting as #jagabanolu, expressed outrage over the new fees, especially considering the economic situation. “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!”

Concerns about corruption within the NIS were also raised. Hemjay of Life, tweeting as #MuritalaMujeebA, lamented, “And it is not as if your useless officers will not still collect bribe at point of biometrics oo.” E.J, another X user tweeting as #Enwagboso, urged the government to reconsider the effective date of the new passport fees. “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.” Frustration was also evident on Instagram, where a user identified as #l_ayk_an commented, “Making japa expensive but yet making Nigeria worse and unlivable.” Another user, #officialcollinzo, quipped, “Very soon to breath for this Nigeria go be 1k per 1hr.” The Henley Passport Index currently ranks the Nigerian passport 92nd out of 199, underscoring the challenges Nigerian citizens face when it comes to international travel. The increased fees have only added to these challenges, making it even more difficult for Nigerians to obtain or renew their passports.