Several users on social media platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram have voiced their disappointment over the recent hike in fees for the Nigerian Standard Passport.
The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Immigration Service—the agency responsible for issuing passports—announced on Wednesday that the fee adjustment was essential to maintain the passport’s quality and integrity.
The new rates, effective from September 1, 2024, set the cost for a 32-page passport booklet with a five-year validity at N50,000, up from the previous N35,000.
Similarly, a 64-page passport booklet with a 10-year validity will now cost N100,000, reflecting a N30,000 increase from the previous charge of N70,000.
Some social media users have expressed concerns about various issues, including corruption among some NIS officials who demand extra, unofficial fees, the economic hardship in the country, rising inflation, and the perceived insensitivity of the government to the plight of the masses, among others.
According to the Henley Passport Index, the Nigerian passport was ranked 92nd out of 199 passports, highlighting the challenges its citizens face regarding international travel freedom.
