Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the Federal Government over its recent increase in passport application fees, describing the decision as excessive, unfair, and insensitive to Nigerians who are already grappling with economic difficulties and rising living costs across the country.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had on Thursday announced that the new charges for international passports would take effect starting September 1, 2025.
According to the revised fee structure, a 32-page passport valid for five years will now cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport valid for ten years will be priced at ₦200,000. These fees apply to applications made within Nigeria, whereas Nigerians living abroad will continue to pay $150 and $230, respectively, for the 32-page and 64-page passports.
Reacting on his official X handle, Obi condemned the decision, stating that it demonstrates the government’s ongoing lack of consideration for the struggles faced by ordinary citizens. He argued that such policies deepen the economic burden on Nigerians who are already struggling to make ends meet amid inflation and other financial pressures.
Obi wrote: “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.”
He further highlighted that this hike represents the third increase in passport fees within a span of two years, emphasizing that the new cost has become unattainable for the average Nigerian worker. Obi stressed that the widening gap between citizens’ earnings and the cost of essential documents, such as passports, is deeply concerning and points to poor policy planning by the government.
“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,” Obi lamented, pointing out the unrealistic and burdensome nature of the new fee structure.
The former Anambra State governor urged the Federal Government to reconsider and reverse the fee increase, arguing that policies should aim to ease the economic pressure on citizens, not add to it. He insisted that the government must prioritize policies that genuinely support the welfare of Nigerians rather than imposing additional financial stress.
Obi concluded by reiterating his concern about the disproportionate relationship between the cost of essential services and citizens’ earnings: “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. This is unsustainable and demonstrates a lack of empathy for the average Nigerian.”
His remarks have since sparked widespread discussion online, with many Nigerians echoing his sentiments and expressing frustration over the escalating costs of vital government services in the country.