The recent decision by the federal government to increase passport fees only for Nigerians at home is naked provocation and nothing short of a gross insult to the citizens of this nation. It is a move that reeks of double-standards, insensitivity, greed, and an alarming disconnect between the government and the people it is supposed to serve. In a country where the majority of the population are scavenging daily to make ends meet, this decision to hike the cost of an essential document like a passport is a blatant disregard for the financial realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. The hike in passport fees is not justifiable by any stretch of the imagination. The government has not provided a convincing explanation for why this hike is necessary, nor has it shown any evidence that the additional revenue will be used to improve passport services. A burden on the already burdened citizenry, this pig-headed and ill-advised decision should be reversed immediately in the interest of peace and stability.
Announcing the unsavory development, Immigration spokesman, Kenneth Udo, said in a statement yesterday, that the reason for the increase was “to ensure integrity” (whatever that means). Udo stated that: “As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian standard passport, the federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the Passport, effective from September 1, 2024,” adding: “Based on the review, the 32-page passport booklet with a 5-year validity, previously charged at Thiry-Five Thousand Naira (N35,000) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) only; while the 64-page Passport booklet with a 10-year validity, previously Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000), will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) only. However, the fees remain unchanged for those in the Diaspora. While the Nigerian Immigration Service regrets any inconvenience this increase may cause prospective applicants, it assures Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service-delivery at all times.”
For starters, the decision to exclude Nigerians abroad from the increased passport fees is bare-faced hypocrisy that stinks to the high Heavens. The standing view is that Nigerians in the Diaspora are financially better-off than their counterparts at home and any such increase would make no dent on their ability to pay. Immigration sources told Huhuonline.com that the government claimed the fee increase will place an additional financial burden on Diaspora Nigerians who often send money home to support their families and contribute to the Nigerian economy. By making it more expensive to maintain their legal status abroad, the government will not only hurt these individuals but also jeopardize the remittances that are so vital to the country’s economy. This argument stands logic on its head. Either way, the ridiculous attempt to mollify the Nigerian Diaspora, who the government believes is behind the rising wave of protests in the country, is laughable and should attract no further comment.
On the home front, the economic situation in Nigeria is dire. Unemployment is rampant, inflation is soaring, and the cost of living is unbearable. In such a climate, the government’s decision to increase passport fees is nothing less than a slap in the face to the millions of Nigerians who are already struggling to survive. For many, a passport is not just a travel document; it is a lifeline – a means to seek better opportunities abroad, to reunite with family, or to engage in international business. By raising the cost of obtaining this vital document, the government is effectively slamming the door shut on these possibilities for countless citizens. The decision to increase passport fees is indicative of a government that has lost touch with the people. It is a decision made in isolation, without consideration for the broader implications it will have on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. For a government that claims to be for the people, this move is a clear demonstration of its priorities – lining the pockets of officials at the expense of the citizens. Furthermore, this increase disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of society. In a country where the minimum wage is laughably low and the cost of living is continually rising, how does the government expect the average Nigerian to afford such an exorbitant fee? This decision only serves to widen the gap between the rich and the poor, exacerbating the already stark inequalities that plague our society.
In point of fact though, the process of obtaining a passport in Nigeria remains mired in bureaucracy, inefficiency, and corruption. Despite the increase in fees, there is no guarantee that citizens will see any improvement in the quality of service they receive. Despite the efforts by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to ensure transparent passport processing and to make applicants receive their passports in less than 36 hours after application, the system still encounters delays and fraudulent activities by touts and immigration officials still hold sway because of the stringent conditions attached to the process. Last year, the Minister of Interior promised that from February this year, no Nigerian would wait for over two weeks before obtaining an international passport and also assured that soon passports would be delivered to applicants’ homes. So far, none of these promises has been fulfilled.
For many Nigerians, especially the youth, a passport represents a chance to escape the crippling economic conditions at home and seek better opportunities abroad. Whether for education, employment, or simply the chance to experience a different part of the world, a passport is a key that unlocks the door to a brighter future. By raising the cost, the government is effectively denying these opportunities to the very people who need them most. Therefore, the government must be held accountable for this ill-conceived decision. It is not enough to simply increase fees without providing a clear and transparent explanation for how the additional revenue will be used. The government must justify this hike to the Nigerian people and demonstrate that it will lead to tangible improvements in passport services. Moreover, the government must address the underlying issues that plague the passport application process. Corruption, inefficiency, and delays have long been the hallmarks of this process, and citizens have a right to expect better. If the government insists on charging higher fees, it must also commit to rooting out the corruption that has made obtaining a passport such a painful and costly experience for so many.
Rather than increasing passport fees, the Nigerian government should focus on making the process of obtaining a passport more efficient, transparent, and accessible. This can be achieved by investing in technology, streamlining the application process, and cracking down on the corruption that has long plagued the system. By doing so, the government can increase revenue through higher volumes of passport applications, rather than by imposing punitive fees on those who can least afford them.
The government should also consider the broader economic context in which this decision is being made. Nigeria is in the midst of an economic crisis, and the government should be doing everything in its power to alleviate the financial burden on its citizens, not adding to it. Rather than squeezing more money out of the already beleaguered population, the government should focus on policies that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and improve the overall standard of living.
In conclusion, the Nigerian government’s decision to increase passport fees is a shameful and unjustifiable move that demonstrates a profound lack of empathy for the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. It is a decision with far-reaching consequences, denying many the opportunity to improve their lives and further alienating the government from the people. This fee hike is not just a matter of money; it is a matter of fairness, justice, and the basic right of every Nigerian to seek a better future. We call on the government to reverse this decision immediately and to focus on reforms that will make the passport application process more accessible and equitable for all Nigerians. The citizens of this country deserve better, and it is time for the government to start acting in their best interests, rather than exploiting them for financial gain.
