Nigerians across social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have voiced their displeasure at the recent hike in fees for the Nigerian Standard Passport. The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced the fee increase on Wednesday, citing the need to maintain the passport's quality and integrity.
Effective from September 1, 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity will rise from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity will now cost N100,000, up from its previous N70,000 charge.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration, highlighting concerns such as the ongoing economic hardship, inflation, and allegations of corruption within the NIS, where officials reportedly charge extra unofficial fees to expedite the process.
On X, a user with the handle #Lexyzdoo sarcastically noted, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages,” reflecting concerns about unofficial charges. Another user, #jagabanolu, criticized the decision, saying, “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!”
Facebook user Taiwo Olaoye lamented, "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."
Many users also compared the swift implementation of the new passport fees with the slow progress on discussions regarding the national minimum wage, highlighting the disparity in urgency between the two issues. One such comparison was made by Shedrach Onyekonwu on Facebook, who criticized the fewer days given to implement the fee hike, contrasting it with the prolonged meetings and delays in signing a new minimum wage.
Some social media users also called for a delay in the implementation of the new fees. A user on X, #Enwagboso, suggested, “I recommend reviewing the pricing strategy and considering a reversal or, at the very least, a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.”
The Nigerian passport ranks 92nd out of 199 passports according to the Henley Passport Index, reflecting the challenges faced by its holders regarding international travel freedom. This recent fee increase has only added to the frustration of many Nigerians who are already grappling with economic challenges.
**Headline:** *Social Media Users Express Outrage Over Increased Nigerian Passport Fees*
**News Story:**
Nigerians across social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram have voiced their displeasure at the recent hike in fees for the Nigerian Standard Passport. The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced the fee increase on Wednesday, citing the need to maintain the passport's quality and integrity.
Effective from September 1, 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity will rise from N35,000 to N50,000, while a 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity will now cost N100,000, up from its previous N70,000 charge.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration, highlighting concerns such as the ongoing economic hardship, inflation, and allegations of corruption within the NIS, where officials reportedly charge extra unofficial fees to expedite the process.
On X, a user with the handle #Lexyzdoo sarcastically noted, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages,” reflecting concerns about unofficial charges. Another user, #jagabanolu, criticized the decision, saying, “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!”
Facebook user Taiwo Olaoye lamented, "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."
Many users also compared the swift implementation of the new passport fees with the slow progress on discussions regarding the national minimum wage, highlighting the disparity in urgency between the two issues. One such comparison was made by Shedrach Onyekonwu on Facebook, who criticized the fewer days given to implement the fee hike, contrasting it with the prolonged meetings and delays in signing a new minimum wage.
Some social media users also called for a delay in the implementation of the new fees. A user on X, #Enwagboso, suggested, “I recommend reviewing the pricing strategy and considering a reversal or, at the very least, a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.”
The Nigerian passport ranks 92nd out of 199 passports according to the Henley Passport Index, reflecting the challenges faced by its holders regarding international travel freedom. This recent fee increase has only added to the frustration of many Nigerians who are already grappling with economic challenges.
