‘Lack of empathy’, Nigerians knock FG, Immigration over passport fees hike

Following the announcement of an increase in the fees for obtaining a Nigerian passport, Nigerians have continued to react differently, effective from 1 September 2024, with some describing the action of the federal government as showing a ‘lack of empathy’.

Tribune Online reports that the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government, through the spokesperson of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), DCI Kenneth Udo, stated late Wednesday that the adjustment in passport fees is part of the government’s efforts to uphold the quality and security of the Nigerian Standard Passport.

He said, “Based on the review, 32-page Passport booklet with 5-year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while 64-page Passport booklet with 10-year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only. However, the fees remain unchanged in Diaspora. 

“While the Nigeria Immigration Service regrets any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants; it assures Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times.”

The announcement of the passport fee increase has, however, generated mixed reactions from social media users.

Taking to X to express their dissatisfaction with the development, some netizens described the increase as unnecessary, arguing that it comes at a time of economic hardship.

An X user, @Enwagboso tweeted, “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 very least, a delayed effective date of January 1, 2025.”

“@nigimmigration The hike in the price if the Nigerian passport is unnecessary,  you guys just wake up one morning and decide to make things harder for an average Nigerian. Show us the breakdown of how much is used to produce one passport, let’s start from there.” @AareAAdeleke opined.

@Amin_Snoussi said in parts, “You’re increasing the cost of obtaining international passports at a time when citizens are barely able to afford 2 square meals on a daily?”

Another user, @Lidocaine_v2 wrote, “Why not use the billions the Customs is generating for this? Have we not suffered enough?”

“Nothing no dey increase for this country…Na only living standard dey reduce.” @Twitdakoru reacted. 

In his reaction, @Jaiyejejeomo claimed that the actual price of getting a passport is even higher than the newly  announced fee. 

He wrote, “This is “on the paper” price. It’s a different ball game when you get to immigration office. They will tell you 180-230 for 64 pages. And if you’re going to fast-track it, you will pay extra 30k + 10k for documentation.”