₦airaland Forum

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly criticized the Federal Government over its recent hike in passport application fees, calling it harsh and inconsiderate to citizens already facing economic hardship. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the new charges, effective September 1, 2025, which set the cost of a 32-page passport (5-year validity) at ₦100,000 and a 64-page booklet (10-year validity) at ₦200,000. Nigerians applying abroad will pay $150 and $230 respectively.

Obi Condemns the Hike

Reacting via his official X handle, the Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer lamented that this is the third increment in two years, stressing that the new cost is unrealistic for the average Nigerian worker.

“The obsession of this administration with putting a burden on the populace is becoming legendary and continues to reveal its apparent disconnect with the people and the suffering,” Obi wrote.

He further highlighted the alarming disparity between citizens’ earnings and the rising cost of essential documents:

“In a country where the new minimum wage is only ₦70,000, the cost of a single passport now exceeds a worker’s monthly salary — probably the only country in the world to achieve this feat,” he added.

Calls for Immediate Reversal

Obi urged the Federal Government to reconsider the increase, insisting that policies should aim to ease the plight of Nigerians rather than worsen their struggles.

“Instead of making life easier, this government keeps shifting the burden onto ordinary Nigerians. It is alarming that the price of the international passport is higher than what workers earn in a month,” he concluded.

Lanretoye:
When you see queue at the immigration office and people who want to procure your the same passport then you will understand that all these rants are needless and baseless.Nigerians can pay 500k for passport provided they will get it the same day.if with 100k you will get your passport in less than one week and without stress then I won’t need to wait 6months to get the same for 40k,if you die before the 6months will they bring the passport to your grave?

Softmirror:
How is minimum wage the yardstick for determining the price of an International passport?!

You mean if your minimum wage is #100,000 you will use it to purchase a passport instantly when your salary is paid?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Is that how you will go about it?! Lol.😂 That is not rational. You will have to save to be able to afford it because their are other needs aside using the whole of your salary at once to purchase an international passport.

Omowale2023:
No. It's not a yardstick, but the price is too steep. Look at fuel. 900/liter. How much is minimum wage?. Does it make sense to you that your salary is worth 70 liters of fuel?

Softmirror:
Hustle o. Nobody pin you down! Hustle your life out of #70,000.

So we should go back to the days that you get scammed, get beating by immigration officers just because you want passport?!

You can't eat your cake and still have it.

Omowale2023:
This has nothing to do with hustle

helinues:
When the minimum wage was N30k, how much was the passport?

Omowale2023:
This has nothing to do with hustle. But other countries are doing theirs just fine and theirs aren't above their own minimum wages. What makes Nigeria any different? Does South Africa, Egypt and Morocco have 2 heads. And they not also fighting corruption?

Softmirror:
It is still an option to hustle yourself out of getting a minimum wage as your salary. Why don't you want to work on yourself?

Omowale2023:
You are deflecting from the point been raised. The question is why are fees for an international passport higher than the minimum wage. Other countries aren't doing the same, why is Nigeria any different?
If you know you don't have a answer, don't reply me again. Continue with your life. And I wish you the very best.

Softmirror:
So how much should our passport cost so that someone with a minimum wage of 70,000 will be able to get one. - Go and ask Your Grandfather.

Your cry should be more on the minimum wage than on the price of passport - Cry? What does crying have to do with what is been discussed?.

Softmirror:
How is minimum wage the yardstick for determining the price of an International passport?!

You mean if your minimum wage is #100,000 you will use it to purchase a passport instantly when your salary is paid?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Is that how you will go about it?! Lol.😂 That is not rational. You will have to save to be able to afford it because their are other needs aside using the whole of your salary at once to purchase an international passport.

Good2go1:
This APC people are really human beings? Their reasoning baffles me.

Softmirror:
Do you earn #70,000 too?! Worry more about how to improve your life.