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Nigerians Express Outrage Over Hiked Passport Fees, Calling for Government Sensitivity
Nigerians Express Outrage Over Hiked Passport Fees, Calling for Government Sensitivity....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Users across social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram have voiced their displeasure over the recent increase in fees for the Nigerian Standard Passport. The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), announced the fee hike on Wednesday, citing the need to maintain the quality and integrity of the passport.
Effective September 1, 2024, the cost of a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity has risen from N35,000 to N50,000. Additionally, the fee for a 64-page passport booklet with a ten-year validity has increased from N70,000 to N100,000.
Many social media users have expressed concerns, not just about the fee hike but also about the alleged corruption within the NIS. Several users claim that officials often demand extra, unofficial fees, further burdening citizens already facing economic hardships, inflation, and what they perceive as government insensitivity.
One user on X.com, known as Callme_Wéalth EndSars, tweeted, “Online 50k, offline 100k for 32 pages,” hinting at discrepancies between official and unofficial charges. A Facebook user, Taiwo Olaoye, added, “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.”
Another tweep, Asiwaju Arowopoko, expressed skepticism about the fees, stating, “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.”
Criticism also extended to the rapid implementation of the fee increase compared to other government policies, such as the national minimum wage. Shedrach Onyekonwu on Facebook highlighted this discrepancy, saying, “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 expressed frustration, tweeting, “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!”
The concerns don’t stop at the fees. Many users also called out the government’s timing and lack of empathy. Adewale ‘Damilare tweeted, “Una dun increase money for passport issuance again. You guys are testing our patience!” while another user, Hemjay of Life, pointed out the continued issue of bribery at the NIS, tweeting, “And it is not as if your useless officers will not still collect bribe at point of biometrics oo.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran are triggering global energy shocks that are contributing to rising inflation in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel, Nkechi Ufochukwu, has stated that efforts are ongoing to strengthen trade relations between Nigeria and Israel as part of wider plans to enhance bilateral cooperation and economic growth.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking at a forum held over the weekend in Abuja, the envoy explained that boosting trade between both countries remains a key priority in her diplomatic mission.
She emphasized that her focus is on expanding the existing trade framework between Nigeria and Israel, describing it as essential to deepening economic ties and improving collaboration between both nations.
Ufochukwu also noted that her agenda extends beyond trade, including the promotion of Nigeria’s culture, agriculture, and investment opportunities, as well as supporting training programmes in cybersecurity and information technology.
She assured stakeholders of her commitment to fully delivering on her responsibilities, adding that sustained communication and cooperation would be important in achieving set goals.
Participants at the forum highlighted the need for Nigeria to address structural barriers affecting business growth, while pointing to Israel’s innovation-driven economy as a model worth studying.
One of the attendees, Pastor Henry Opara, called for formal bilateral agreements, stressing that most current business interactions between both countries are informal and based on personal relationships rather than structured government frameworks.
He argued that stronger government-to-government agreements would provide clearer rules and more stable economic engagement.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Nigeria–Israel Business Forum, Mrs. Florence Osuji, urged both countries to renew official trade agreements, noting that some existing arrangements have expired, leaving current trade relations without strong institutional backing.
A delegation from the Ugandan government is currently in Nigeria to understudy the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system as part of efforts to address youth unemployment through skills acquisition.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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