NIS Alleged Passport Fee Hike, Anti People Policy--Social Commentator
By Adamu IMAM Bauchi. 29th Aug, 2025
The decision by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to double the cost of acquiring an international passport from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 for a 32-page passport with 5-year validity, and from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 for the 64-page 10-year booklet is nothing short of another anti-people policy.
This was disclosed by David Adenuga a social commentator base in Bauchi state
The statement allegedly explained that, at a time when millions of Nigerians are battling economic hardship, with inflation eroding salaries and unemployment at alarming levels, the government has chosen to further burden citizens who are simply trying to exercise their right to travel.
Adenuga says, what makes this decision even more insensitive is that barely a year ago, the same government had increased the cost from ₦35,000 to ₦50,000. Now, within such a short period, Nigerians are being asked to pay double again. This is exploitative and reeks of poor governance.
He further laments that, "in countries where leadership is responsive, the cost of essential documents like passports is subsidized to ease access for ordinary citizens. But in Nigeria, the reverse is the case—leaders are quick to pile more pressure on the masses while justifying it with vague claims of “cost recovery” and “operational sustainability.”
The truth is that this latest increment only widens inequality, making international passports accessible mainly to the wealthy and the political class, while locking out struggling Nigerians who might need it for education, business, or even medical reasons abroad". He noted.
He therefore maintained that, the irony is bitter: our leaders, who travel abroad at taxpayers’ expense, often with multiple passports, are blind to the fact that their policies are trapping citizens in economic hardship at home and now financially imprisoning them within the country’s borders.
Stressing that, "If the government truly values Nigerians, it should be looking at ways to improve service delivery, reduce extortion, and make passport issuance seamless, not weaponize pricing as a barrier".
The statement concluded that, this hike is unjustifiable, inconsiderate, and yet another reminder that those in power are disconnected from the realities of ordinary Nigerians.
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